Bach / Molardi Complete Organ Music 1 CD

J.S. Bach: Complete Organ Music, Vol. 1, Composer Johann Sebastian Bach, Artist Stefano Molardi organ, Format 4 CD, Stefano Molardi is shaping his recorded survey of Bach's complete organ music as self-sufficient and musically satisfying recitals which, disc by disc, explore the diverse styles at the composer's disposal, the flexible usage to which he, the ultimate 'compleat musician', puts 'his' instrument through it's paces, and the different liturgical demands which he was required to meet during the course of his career as he moved from church to court and back again. Grand Weimar- and Leipzig-composed preludes and fugues rub shoulders with intricate trio sonatas which he had initially conceived as chamber music, and between them nestle intimate chorales from his C?then days. Accordingly, Molardi makes full use of the potential flexibility of his chosen Trost organ in the Stadtkirche 'Zur Gotteshilfe' in Waltershausen, deep in the provincial heart of Thuringia. This is Bach country, and although the organ has been periodically restored since it was finally inaugurated in 1755, almost 30 years after the work was begun, it retains the classic characteristics of it's age and situation: a thorough restoration in 1998 returned the instrument to it's original glory. Born in Cremona, Molardi has undertaken a Renaissance career as not only organist but harpsichordist, conductor and scholar, not only at home in the rarified confines of early music but a virtuoso who has performed the complete organ works of Liszt and Franck and made an extraordinary recording of Verdi arranged for organ. These Bach discs are, perhaps appropriately, less overtly spectacular but no less imaginative in their rhythmic and coloristic response. A new recording (2013) of Bach's complete organ works is, even in these overfed and crisis-stricken days, an event of the first order. First of all because the music is of such overwhelming beauty and power, one of the greatest creations of humanity, and secondly because there is still so much to discover and illuminate in these works. These recordings are based on the choice of instruments: organist Stefano Molardi chose German instruments from Bach's time, lending an authentic character to the project. This first set features the wonderful Trost Organ of the Stadtkirche Zur Gotteshilfe in Waltershausen, Thuringia, built in 1725 and gloriously restored in 1998. Stefano Molardi is a "renaissance man", organist, harpsichordist, scholar, historian and writer. He recorded extensively for Divox, DGG and other labels. His playing is clear, crisp, free and rhythmically vibrant. The CD's are programmed like concerto programs, a fine diversity of genres and styles, to avoid monotony and uniformity.

1. Prelude 2. Fugue 3. Valet Will Ich Dir Geben, BWV736 4. I 5. Adagio 6. Allegro 7. Partita I 8. Partita II 9. Partita III 10. Partita IV 11. Partita V 12. Partita VI 13. Partita VII 14. Partita VIII 15. Partita IX 16. Fantasia on, 'Valet Will Ich Dir Geben', BWV735 17. Vivace 18. Largo 19. Allegro 20. Prelude 21. Fugue 22. Prelude 23. Fugue 24. Helft Mir Gottes G?te Preisen, BWV613 25. Das Alte Jahr Vergangen Ist, BWV614 26. In Dir Ist Freude, BWV615 27. Mit Fried' Und Freud' Ich Fahr Dahin, BWV616 28. Herr Gott, Nun Schleu Den Himmel Auf, BWV617 29. Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott, BWV720 30. Andante 31. Adagio E Dolce 32. Vivace 33. Erbarm Dich Mein, O Herre Gott, BWV721 34. I 35. Grave 36. Fuga 37. Largo 38. (Allegro) 39. Adagio 40. Vivace 41. Andante 42. Un Poc'allegro 43. Prelude 44. Fugue 45. Prelude 46. Fugue 47. Allegro 48. Largo 49. Allegro 50. Prelude 51. Fugue 52. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, BWV645 53. Wo Soll Ich Fliehen Hin - Auf Meinen Lieben Gott, BWV646 54. Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott L?T Walten, BWV647 55. I 56. Recitativo: Adagio 57. Allegro 58. Chorale 59. Variation I 60. Variation II 61. Variation III 62. Variation IV 63. Variation V 64. Variation VI 65. Variation VII ? 2 Clav. E Ped 66. Variation VIII 67. Variation IX ? 2 Clav. E Ped 68. Variation X ? 2 Clav. E Ped 69. Variation XI ? 5 Voci in Organo Pleno 70. Toccata 71. Fugue 72. Meine Seele Erhebt Den Herren, BWV648 73. Ach Bleibt Bei Uns, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV649 74. Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel Herunter, BWV650 75. Fugue on a Theme By Corelli, BWV579 76. O Lamm Gottes, Unschuldig, BWV618 77. Christe, Du Lamm Gottes, BWV619 78. Christus, Der Uns Selig Macht, BWV620 79. Da Jesu An Dem Kreuze Stund', BWV621 80. O Mensch, Bewein' Dein S?nde Gro, BWV622 81. Wir Danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV623 82. Hilf, Gott, Da Mir's Gelinge, BWV624 83. Christ Lag in Todesbanden, BWV625 84. Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, Der Den Tod berwand, BWV626 85. Christ Ist Erstanden, BWV627 - Verses 1, 2 ; 3 86. Erstanden Ist Der Heil'ge Christ, BWV628 87. Erschienen Ist Der Herrliche Tag, BWV629 88. Heut' Triumphieret Gottes Sohn, BWV630 89. Komm, Gott Sch÷pfer, Heiliger Geist, BWV631 90. Vivace 91. Lento 92. Allegro