MDG Scene  905 2120-6 (2 discs)

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Instrumental

Bach: Clavierübung, Buch III

Andreas Fischer (organ of St. Katharinen, Hamburg)


Home Court
Johann Sebastian Bach’s organ artistry made a powerful impression in St. Catherine’s Church when he applied for the coveted organist’s post at the Principal Church of St. James in Hamburg in 1720. Since Bach, unlike his rival, was unwilling to contribute the immense sum of four thousand marks as his “dowry,” he did not prevail but instead found a new job in Leipzig a few years later. In Leipzig he initially discharged other duties before he again came forward as an instrumental composer with a dazzling cycle of organ chorales in 1739. Andreas Fischer has freshly recorded this “Third Part of the Clavierübung” on his very own St. Catherine’s organ – certainly in a rendering that would have brought joy to Bach, who could “not praise enough” this instrument “outstanding in every respect.”

Huge Comeback
Although the marvelous St. Catherine’s organ was almost entirely consumed by fire during the bombardment of Hamburg in 1943, some hundred pipes that had been removed for safe keeping and precise documentation prior to the loss of the original instrument facilitated its reconstruction during 2007-11. This project was expertly, “historically correctly,” and lovingly carried out by the Dutch Flentrop Workshop. Today this instrument once essentially designed by Hans Scherer, Gottfried Fritzsche, and Friedrich Stellwagen during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries offers very authentic testimony to the organ sound of Bach’s times.

Top Scorer
Bach was particularly drawn to the “beauty and diversity” of the sixteen reed stops – which are ideally suited for the incredibly manifold polyphony of the “Third Part of the Clavierübung.” With the festive Prelude and Fugue in E flat major forming the framework, Bach designs a magnificently dimensioned Organ Mass expounding the Lutheran Mass chorales with great variety. The absolute high point is perhaps reached with the six-part “Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir,” which with its two voices in each hand and in the pedal unit demands the very best from the organist.

True Superstar
However, what is presumably a small form also makes a strong impression. The four Duets inserted in the work strictly adhere to the two-part counterpoint in all the variations, and Bach playfully and charmingly enlivens what in compositional instruction runs the risk of becoming a dry finger exercise. Bach surely also would have liked the tonal presentation on this finely mixed Super Audio CD. Our patented 2+2+2 technique enables this magnificent instrument to shine in all three dimensions.