Preston: Bach – Complete Organ Works (14 CD box set, FLAC)

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Simon Preston
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 14 CD box set
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Size: 4.11 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc 1:
01. Sonata No.1 In E Flat, BWV 525 – 1. (Allegro moderato)
02. Sonata No.1 In E Flat, BWV 525 – 2. Adagio
03. Sonata No.1 In E Flat, BWV 525 – 3. Allegro
04. Sonata No.2 In C Minor, BWV 526 – 1. Vivace
05. Sonata No.2 In C Minor, BWV 526 – 2. Largo
06. Sonata No.2 In C Minor, BWV 526 – 3. Allegro
07. Sonata No.3 In D Minor, BWV 527 – 1. Andante
08. Sonata No.3 In D Minor, BWV 527 – 2. Adagio e dolce
09. Sonata No.3 In D Minor, BWV 527 – 3. Vivace
10. Sonata No.4 In E Minor, BWV 528 – 1. Adagio – Vivace
11. Sonata No.4 In E Minor, BWV 528 – 2. Andante
12. Sonata No.4 In E Minor, BWV 528 – 3. Un poco allegro
13. Sonata No.5 In C, BWV 529 – 1. Allegro
14. Sonata No.5 In C, BWV 529 – 2. Largo
15. Sonata No.5 In C, BWV 529 – 3. Allegro
16. Sonata No.6 In G, BWV 530 – 1. Vivace
17. Sonata No.6 In G, BWV 530 – 2. Lento
18. Sonata No.6 In G, BWV 530 – 3. Allegro

Disc 2:
01. Prelude and Fugue in C, BWV 531 – Prelude
02. Prelude and Fugue in C, BWV 531 – Fugue
03. Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 533 – 1. Prelude
04. Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 533 – 2. Fugue
05. Prelude and Fugue in F minor, BWV 534 – 1. Prelude
06. Prelude and Fugue in F minor, BWV 534 – 2. Fugue
07. Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 535 – Prelude
08. Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 535 – Fugue
09. Prelude and Fugue in A, BWV 536 – 1. Prelude
10. Prelude and Fugue in A, BWV 536 – 2. Fugue
11. Prelude (Fantasy) and Fugue in C minor, BWV 537 – 1. Fantasy
12. Prelude (Fantasy) and Fugue in C minor, BWV 537 – 2. Fugue
13. Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538 “Dorian” – 1. Prelude (Toccata)
14. Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538 “Dorian” – 2. Fuga
15. Prelude and Fugue in D minor, BWV 539 – 1. Prelude
16. Prelude and Fugue in D minor, BWV 539 – 2. Fugue
17. Prelude and Fugue in G, BWV 541 – Prelude
18. Prelude and Fugue in G, BWV 541 – Fugue
19. Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 535a (incomplete) – Prelude
20. Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BWV 535 – for Preston-Recording: alternative registration – Fugue

Disc 3:
01. Toccata (Prelude) and Fugue in F, BWV 540 – 1. Toccata
02. Toccata (Prelude) and Fugue in F, BWV 540 – 2. Fugue
03. Prelude (Fantasy) and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542 – “Great” – 1. Fantasy
04. Prelude (Fantasy) and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542 – “Great” – 2. Fugue
05. Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543 – 1. Prelude
06. Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 543 – 2. Fugue
07. Prelude and Fuge in B flat, BWV 544 – Prelude
08. Prelude and Fuge in B flat, BWV 544 – Fugue
09. Prelude and Fugue in C, BWV 545 – Prelude
10. Prelude and Fugue in C, BWV 545 – Fugue
11. Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 546 – 1. Prelude
12. Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 546 – 2. Fugue
13. Pedal Exercise, BWV598 (Improvisation by Bach; notated by Thieme)

Disc 4:
01. Prelude And Fugue In C, BWV 547 – 1. Prelude
02. Prelude And Fugue In C, BWV 547 – 2. Fugue
03. Prelude And Fugue In E Minor, BWV 548 – 1. Prelude
04. Prelude And Fugue In E Minor, BWV 548 – 2. Fugue
05. Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 549 – Prelude
06. Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 549 – Fugue
07. Prelude And Fugue In G, BWV 550 – Prelude
08. Prelude And Fugue In G, BWV 550 – Fugue
09. Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 551 – 1. Prelude
10. Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV 551 – 2. Fugue
11. Fantasia in C minor, BWV 562
12. Fantasia Con Imitazione In B Minor, BWV 563
13. Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564 – 1. Toccata
14. Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564 – 2. Adagio
15. Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564 – 3. Fugue

Disc 5:
01. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565 – Toccata
02. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor, BWV 565 – Fugue
03. Prelude And Fugue In D Major, BWV 532 – Prelude
04. Prelude And Fugue In D Major, BWV 532 – Fugue
05. Pastoral In F, BWV 590 – [1] in F major
06. Pastoral In F, BWV 590 – [2] in C major
07. Pastoral In F, BWV 590 – [3] in C minor
08. Pastoral In F, BWV 590 – [4] in F major
09. Toccata And Fugue In E, BWV 566 – 1. Toccata
10. Toccata And Fugue In E, BWV 566 – 2. Fugue
11. Prelude in G, BWV 568
12. Prelude in A minor, BWV 569
13. Fantasia in C, BWV 570
14. Fantasia In G, BWV 572 – Très vitement
15. Fantasia In G, BWV 572 – Gravement
16. Fantasia In G, BWV 572 – Lentement

Disc 6:
01. Fugue in C minor on a theme by Legrenzi, BWV 574
02. Fugue in C minor, BWV 575
03. Fugue In G, BWV 577
04. Fugue in G minor, BWV 578 “The Little”
05. Fugue in B minor, BWV 579 on a theme by Corelli
06. Passacaglia in C minor, BWV 582 – Passacaglia
07. Passacaglia in C minor, BWV 582 – Fugue
08. Trio in D minor, BWV 583
09. Trio in G, BWV 586 (Telemann transc. Bach)
10. Aria in F, BWV 587
11. Canzona In D Minor, BWV 588
12. Allabreve in D, BWV 589

Disc 7:
01. Organ Concerto in D minor, BWV 596 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 11 – 1. (without tempo indication)
02. Organ Concerto in D minor, BWV 596 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 11 – 2. Grave
03. Organ Concerto in D minor, BWV 596 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 11 – 3. Fuga
04. Organ Concerto in D minor, BWV 596 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 11 – 4. Largo e spiccato
05. Organ Concerto in D minor, BWV 596 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 11 – 5. (Without tempo indication)
06. Organ Concerto in A minor, BWV 593 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 8 – 1. (Without Tempo Indication)
07. Organ Concerto in A minor, BWV 593 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 8 – 2. Adagio
08. Organ Concerto in A minor, BWV 593 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.3 No. 8 – 3. Allegro
09. Organ Concerto in C, BWV 594 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.7, No. 11 – 1.
10. Organ Concerto in C, BWV 594 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.7, No. 11 – 2. Recitativ adagio
11. Organ Concerto in C, BWV 594 after Vivaldi’s Concerto Op.7, No. 11 – 3. Allegro – solo
12. Concerto in G, BWV 592 – 1.
13. Concerto in G, BWV 592 – 2. Grave
14. Concerto in G, BWV 592 – 3. Presto
15. Concerto in C, BWV 595

Disc 8:
01. Nun, komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599
02. Gott, durch deine Güte, BWV600
03. Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-Sohn, BWV601
04. Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott, BWV602
05. Puer natus in Bethlehem, BWV603
06. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV604
07. Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BWV605
08. Von Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her, BWV606
09. Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar, BWV607
10. In dulci jubilo, BWV608
11. Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV609
12. Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 610
13. Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV611
14. Wir Christenleut’, BWV612
15. Helft mir Gottes Güte preisen, BWV613
16. Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV614
17. In dir ist Freude (Fantasia), BWV 615
18. Mit Fried’ und Freud’ ich fahr dahin, BWV616
19. Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf, BWV617
20. O Lamm Gottes unschuldig, BWV618
21. Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV619
22. Christus der uns selig macht, BWV620
23. Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund, BWV621
24. O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß, BWV622
25. Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV623
26. Hilf Gott, daß mir es gelinge, BWV624
27. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625
28. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV626
29. Christ ist erstanden, BWV627
30. Erstanden ist der heil’ge Christ, BWV628
31. Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag, BWV629
32. Heut’ triumphieret Gottes Sohn, BWV63
33. Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist, BWV631
34. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend’, BWV632
35. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV633
36. Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot, BWV635
37. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV636
38. Durch Adam’s Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV637
39. Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV638
40. Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
41. In dich hab’ ich gehoffet, Herr, BWV640
42. Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV641
43. Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV642
44. Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV643
45. Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig, BWV644
46. Christus, der uns selig macht, BWV 620a

Disc 9:
01. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 (‘Sleepers, awake’)
02. Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 646
03. Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 647
04. Meine Seele erhebet den Herren, BWV 648
05. Ach bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 649
06. Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter, BWV 650
07. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BWV 651
08. Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BWV 652
09. An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653
10. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654
11. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend’, BWV 655
12. O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV656
13. Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657
14. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658

Disc 10:
01. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
02. Trio super: Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 660
03. Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661
04. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 662
05. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr, BWV 663
06. Trio Super: Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr, BWV 664
07. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV665
08. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 666
09. Komm’, Gott, Schöpfer, heiliger Geist, BWV 667
10. Prelude and Fugue in E flat, BWV 552 – 1. Prelude
11. Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 669
12. Christe, aller Welt Trost, BWV 670
13. Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 671
14. Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 672
15. Christe, aller Welt Trost, BWV 673
16. Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 674

Disc 11:
01. Allein Gott in der Höh’sei Ehr’, BWV675
02. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 676
03. Fughetta super: Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 677
04. Die sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot’, BWV 678
05. Fughetta super: Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot, BWV 679
06. Wir glauben all’an einen Gott, BWV 680
07. Fughetta super: Wir glauben all an einen Gott, BWV 681
08. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 682
09. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 683
10. Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 684
11. Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 685
12. Aus tiefer Not schrei’ ich zu dir, BWV 686
13. Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 687
14. Jesus Christus unser Heiland, BWV 688
15. Fuga super: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 689
16. Duet No.1 in E minor, BWV 802
17. Duet No.2 in F, BWV 803
18. Duet No.3 in G, BWV 804
19. Duet No.4 in A minor, BWV 805
20. Prelude and Fugue in E flat, BWV 552 – 2. Fugue

Disc 12:
01. Wer nun den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 691
02. Wer nun der lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 690
03. Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 694
04. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 695
05. Fughetta: Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 696
06. Fughetta; Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 697
07. Herr Jesu Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-Sohn, BWV 698
08. Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 699
09. Vom Himmel hoch, BWV 700
10. Fughetta: Vom Himmel hoch, BWV 701
11. Das Jesulein soll doch mein Trost, BWV 702
12. Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 703
13. Fughetta: Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott, BWV 704
14. Durch Adam’s Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 705
15. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 706
16. Ich hab’ mein Sach’ Gott heimgestellt, BWV 707
17. Ich hab’ mein Sach’ Gott heimgestellt, BWV 708
18. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 709
19. Wir Christenleut, BWV 710
20. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 711
21. In dich hab’ ich gehoffet, BWV 712
22. Jesu, meine Freude, (Fantasia), BWV 713
23. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 720
24. Ach Gott und Herr, BWV 714
25. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 715
26. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 716
27. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 717
28. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 718

Disc 13:
01. Erbarm’ dich mein, o Herre Gott, BWV 721
02. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 722
03. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 723
04. Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 724
05. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend’, BWV 726
06. Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727
07. Jesus, meine Zuversicht, BWV 728
08. “In dulci jubilo”, BWV 729
09. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 730
10. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731
11. Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV 732
12. Fuga sopra il Magnificat, BWV 733
13. Nun freut euch, liebe Christen g’mein, BWV 734
14. Fantasia Super: Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 735
15. Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 736
16. Vater unser im Himmelreich, Chorale Prelude BWV 737
17. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her, BWV 738
18. Chorale “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern”, BWV 739
19. Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh darein, BWV 741
20. Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 753 – Completed by Wolfgang Stockmeier
21. Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 764 – Completed by Wolfgang Stockmeier
22. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, Anh.II/55
23. O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, NBA

Disc 14:
01. Christ, der Du bist der helle Tag, BWV 766
02. O Gott, Du frommer Gott, BWV 767
03. Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig, BWV 768
04. Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen, BWV 770
05. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 769 – Variatio 1: Nel canone all’ottava
06. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 769 – Variatio 2: Alio modo, nel canone alla quinta
07. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 769 – Variatio 3: Canone alla settima
08. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 769 – Variatio 4: Per augementationem. nel canone all’ottava
09. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 769 – Variatio 5: L’altra sorte del canone al rovescio: 1) alla sesta, 2) alla terza, 3) alla seconda e 4) alla nona

superb all around bach cycle

this is an aurally brilliant, artistically captivating and handsomely produced issue of bach’s complete works for organ — excluding works now considered spurious (the eight little preludes and fugues), and including works now considered spurious but who cares (toccata and fugue in dm).

first, the sound. as is now customary with bach organ cycles, the works are recorded on a variety of instruments (for this project, 10 organs in germany, denmark and england). some are modern, some are historical, and some are refurbished historical, but all share a tone and acoustic environment that is bright across the entire range, sonorous without echo, and dynamically ethereal or powerful as called for. each organ’s history and stops are lovingly documented (with a portrait photo) in the booklet.

as for the artistry, preston opens the set with a spectacular and fluent rendering of the fiercely demanding trio sonatas (which he says he practised every day for three months to prepare for the recording), and sails onward from there to the final canonic variations on “vom himmel hoch.” in each piece he chooses a range of stops within the palette bach would have assumed in his day, and incidentally chose each of the organs to represent his idea of the “bach sound” (rather than the less convincing “it’s not that great an organ but bach played it once” criterion used in another boxed set). i found his choices of stops to be varied, poetic, and alert — the trio sonatas, the keyboard concertos and the schubler and leipzig chorale sets are utterly delightful. as for style, preston emphasizes keyboard artistry rather than decibel impact — the passacaglia and fugue in cm comes across powerfully but with all voices distinct and in convincing balance. personal tastes vary, but after purchasing this set i gave away my recording of the trio sonatas by marie-claire alain — preston’s version was far superior.

i know little about sound recording, but the large team of producers and engineers credited for these 14 discs has done a remarkable job of producing a crisp and consistent listening experience. the organs do not seem to rattle around in their buildings like marbles in a steel bucket, and they do not intrude distracting keyboard or bellows noises, but seem to sit right between the speakers in full presence. the sheer sensual color of the organs is beautifully projected.

the booklet includes an introductory essay by malcolm boyd (whose compact, up to date and authoritative book on bach makes a suitable companion to this set), complete track listings for each cd, and an index of pieces by title + BWV number and by BWV number alone, with the disc and track number where it appears.