The fourth volume of Masaaki Suzuki's Bach works for organ series features one of the most important surviving instruments of Bach's time, made by the German organ builder Christoph Treutmann the Elder. Widely known for it's extraordinary tonal quality, the instrument was built between 1734 and 1737. A recent general restoration preserved all essential structural elements or renewed them, remaining faithful to the originals, making it an ideal instrument for Bach interpreters who wish to come close to the sound ideas of the Leipzig Thomaskantor. Suzuki now takes up the Orgel-Büchlein (literally, 'little organ book'), a collection of 45 short chorale preludes on melodies from the Lutheran hymn book, a project that came into being in connection with Bach's appointment as organist and chamber musician at the Duke's court in Weimar in 1708. Presenting chorales for different periods of the church year, this collection serves as a general guide to text-based composition focusing on specific word-sound relationships and content-specific musical expression. Two Preludes and Fugues complete the first volume dedicated to the Orgel-Büchlein, illustrating the principle of variety and structure historically practised by concert organists in order to demonstrate the tone colours and expressive possibilities of their instrument.
5 Herr Christ, Der Ein'ge Gottessohn, BWV 601 [01:45]
6 Lob Sei Dem Allmächtigen Gott, BWV 602 [00:58]
7 Puer Natus in Bethlehem, BWV 603 [01:32]
8 Gelobet Seist Du, Jesu Christ, BWV 604 [01:59]
9 Der Tag, Der Ist So Freudenreich, BWV 605 [01:47]
10 Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her, BWV 606 [00:51]
11 Vom Himmel Kam Der Engel Schar, BWV 607 [01:09]
12 In Dulci Jubilo, BWV 608 [01:13]
13 Lobt Gott, Ihr Christen Allzugleich, BWV 609 [00:53]
14 Prelude [02:54]
15 Fugue [04:20]
16 Jesu, Meine Freude, BWV 610 [02:37]
17 Christum Wir Sollen Loben Schon, BWV 611 [02:49]
18 Wir Christenleut, BWV 612 [02:03]
19 Helft Mir Gotts Güte Preisen, BWV 613 [01:09]
20 Das Alte Jahr Vergangen Ist, BWV 614 [02:47]
21 In Dir Ist Freude, BWV 615 [02:52]
22 Mit Fried Und Freud Ich Fahr Dahin, BWV 616 [02:03]
23 Herr Gott, Nun Schleuss Den Himmel Auf, BWV 617 [01:54]
24 O Lamm Gottes, Unschuldig, BWV 618 [03:21]
25 Christe Du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619 [00:50]
26 Christus, Der Uns Selig Macht, BWV 620 [01:52]
27 Da Jesus An Dem Kreuze Stund, BWV 621 [01:54]
28 O Mensch, Bewein Dein Sünde Gross, BWV 622 [06:27]
29 Wir Danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 623 [00:58]
30 Hilf Gott, Dass Mir's Gelinge, BWV 624 [01:18]
The fourth volume of Masaaki Suzuki's Bach works for organ series features one of the most important surviving instruments of Bach's time, made by the German organ builder Christoph Treutmann the Elder. Widely known for it's extraordinary tonal quality, the instrument was built between 1734 and 1737. A recent general restoration preserved all essential structural elements or renewed them, remaining faithful to the originals, making it an ideal instrument for Bach interpreters who wish to come close to the sound ideas of the Leipzig Thomaskantor. Suzuki now takes up the Orgel-Büchlein (literally, 'little organ book'), a collection of 45 short chorale preludes on melodies from the Lutheran hymn book, a project that came into being in connection with Bach's appointment as organist and chamber musician at the Duke's court in Weimar in 1708. Presenting chorales for different periods of the church year, this collection serves as a general guide to text-based composition focusing on specific word-sound relationships and content-specific musical expression. Two Preludes and Fugues complete the first volume dedicated to the Orgel-Büchlein, illustrating the principle of variety and structure historically practised by concert organists in order to demonstrate the tone colours and expressive possibilities of their instrument.
