J.S. Bach: Organ Works / Helmut Walcha

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Helmut Walcha was the great German organist of the '50s and '60s. He recorded the more of less complete Bach organ works twice for DG, once in mono and then again in stereo. This sampler disc of both cycles (mostly in stereo) represents his sober but intensely musical style at its very best. Walcha was not one to draw attention to his physical infirmities, but the fact that he was blind really does seem to give some of his performances an extra spiritual dimension. His complete stereo cycle has been reissued, but not in the United States, so grab this while you can. --David Hurwitz

J.S. Bach: Organ Works / Helmut Walcha, Music, Johann Sebastian Bach, Helmut Walcha, Chorale Prelude or Chorale Treatment for Keyboard, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Keyboard, Music for Organ
Bach J.S.: Organ Works [Germany]
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Different company
  • EARLY WALCHA FOR THE ORGAN ENTHUSIAST
 Bach J.S.: Organ Works [Germany]
Helmut Walcha
Manufacturer: Documents
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000E6UL6I
Release Date: 2006-04-04

Tracks:

  1. Six Sonatas For Two Keyboards And Pedal (Trio Sonatas)
  2. Preludes And Fugues, Bwv 531-536
  3. Prelude And Fugue Bwv 541
  4. Prelude And Fugue Bwv 543-548
  5. Prelude And Fugue Bwv 550-551
  6. Toccatas And Fugues Bwv 538, 540, 565, 566
  7. Toccata, Adagio And Fugue In C Major, Bwv 564
  8. Passacaglia And Fugue In C Minor, Bwv 582
  9. Fantasies And Fugues, Bwv 537, 542
  10. Fantasies, Bwv 562, 572
  11. Fugue In G Minor, Bwv 578
  12. Canzona In D Minor, Bwv 588
  13. Allabreve In D Major, Bwv 589
  14. Pastorale In F Major, Bwv 590
  15. Little Organ Book, Bwv 599-644
  16. Six Chorales (Schubler Chorales), Bwv 645-650
  17. Eighteen Chorales (Leipzig Chorales), Bwv 651-668
  18. Part Iii "Clavier-Ubung" (Clavier Exercises): Prelude In E Flat Major Bwv 552
  19. Chorale Arrangements (For Large Organ), Bwv 669-671, 676
  20. Part Iii "Clavier-Ubung" (Clavier Exercises), Bwv 678, 680, 682, 684, 686, 688
  21. Four Duets (For Harpsichord), Bwv 802-805
  22. Chorale Arrangements (For Small Organ), Bwv 672-675
  23. Chorale Arrangements (For Small Organ), Bwv 677, 679, 681, 683, 685, 687, 689
  24. Fugue In E Flat Major, Bwv 552
  25. Partite Diverse Sopra: Sei Gegrubet, Jesu Gutig, Bwv 768
  26. Several Canonic Variations On The Christmas Carol "Vom Himmel Hoch..."Bwv769
  27. An Wasserflussen Babylon, Bwv 653b
  28. Fuga Sopra: Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her, Bwv700
  29. Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen, Bwv 727
  30. Fuga Sopra Il Magnificat, Bwv 733
  31. Nun Freut Euch, Lieben Christen G' Mein, Bwv 734
  32. Valet Will Ich Dir Geben, Bwv 736

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Different company.......2007-05-22

This is the set of recordings that is in the "Original Masters" series. Both are the late 40's and early 50's recordings.

5 out of 5 stars EARLY WALCHA FOR THE ORGAN ENTHUSIAST.......2007-05-13

This is for Bach organ music lovers. It is the early recordings of Helmut Walcha, some made on the Arp Schnitger at Cappel before it was ruined by the introduction of steam heat in the 1950's, and the rest made on the organ in the St. Jakobi Church in Lubeck. It is a younger and more vigourous Walcha than the later recordings from St Laurenskerk in Alkmaar and the Silbermann in Strasburg. It also contains BWV 802-805 (four duets for harpsichord, although it does not contain Die Kunst der Fuge, as the later Archiv album does. It was a pleasure to see it back in print after all these years of playing elderly mono LP's, and the ten CD's are a steal for under $20.00.
J.S. Bach: Organ Works / Helmut Walcha
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • THE ONE
  • Bach just doesn't get any better
  • BACH IS UNSURPASSABLE
  • Historical recordings!
  • Same Experience - Different Continents
 J.S. Bach: Organ Works / Helmut Walcha

Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by J.S. BachAll Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
PreludesPreludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
OrganOrgan | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Bach: Great Organ Works
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  3. Organ Masters Before Bach
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ASIN: B00000613W
Release Date: 1998-04-14

Tracks:

  1. Toccata & Fuge d-moll BWV 565: Toccata
  2. Toccata & Fuge d-moll BWV 565: Fuge
  3. Triosonate Nr. 1 Es-dur BWV 525: I. Allegro
  4. Triosonate Nr. 1 Es-dur BWV 525: II. Adagio
  5. Triosonate Nr. 1 Es-dur BWV 525: III. Allegro
  6. Choralpartita Sei gegrusset, Jesu gutig BWV 768
  7. Praeludium & Fuge Es-dur BWV 552: Praeludium
  8. Praeludium & Fuge Es-dur BWV 552: Fuge
  9. Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645
  10. Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wo soll ich fliehen hin BWV 646
  11. Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Wer nur den lieben Gott lasst walten BWV 647
  12. Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Meine Seele erhebet der Herrn BWV 648
  13. Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Ach bleib' bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 649
  14. Sechs Chorale von Verschiedener Art (Schubler-Chorale): Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter BWV 650

Amazon.com

Helmut Walcha was the great German organist of the '50s and '60s. He recorded the more of less complete Bach organ works twice for DG, once in mono and then again in stereo. This sampler disc of both cycles (mostly in stereo) represents his sober but intensely musical style at its very best. Walcha was not one to draw attention to his physical infirmities, but the fact that he was blind really does seem to give some of his performances an extra spiritual dimension. His complete stereo cycle has been reissued, but not in the United States, so grab this while you can. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars THE ONE.......2007-06-04

If you're looking for the greatest Bach organ performance on disk - look no further - you've found it. These interpretations by the blind mystic, Helmut Walcha, are literally out-of-this-world, transcendent. His Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor maybe the premier tour de force solo on any instrument in classical music. Not to say there have not been other fantastic Bach organ recitals - Albert Schweitzer and E. Power Biggs were no wimps. But the exalted, otherworldly quality of Walcha's playing has, in my opinion, never been equalled, and evokes in the listener a feeling of the deepest reverence.

5 out of 5 stars Bach just doesn't get any better.......2007-02-07

Walcha's playing is so inspired and insightful as to be almost unbelievable. His articulations are very "baroque" (way before the time the authentic performance train chugged out of its dusty railway yard), his choice of registration (given the complete set is recorded on only two organs) delightful. The one thing that amazes me is Mr. Walcha's ability to commit so much music to memory. If you think there's too much Bach on this set you don't know and only want the old favourites, think again. A highlight for me are the chorale preludes ... each one a gem and each one so intelligently observed. If I have any criticism it's that neither of the organs has a 32' stop. Yes, I can hear the authentics drawing breath, but even Bach remarked on the fact that the organ in Leipzig had a 32' stop and that he missed it on other organs.

5 out of 5 stars BACH IS UNSURPASSABLE.......2006-06-19

This cd introduced me to some of Bach's amazing organ works. I used to believe organ music was not really worth hearing, HOW wrong was I! This cd contains some of Bach's finest music. First off in my opinion Bach is the pinnacle of pure art/architectural music. His constructions are beyond words, and represent the totality of musical beauty and perfectness of form.

This organ music can be monumental and powerful, and also sublime, peaceful and with a great sense of the individual. The organ is a truly marvelous instrument, capable of a singing quality and also capable of loud/strong orchestral-like sonority.

If you have never heard Bach's organ compositions or organ music in general GET THIS ALBUM.

Walcha's playing is superb, and one gets a sense that he really knows and loves the music.

LONG LIVE J.S. BACH!

5 out of 5 stars Historical recordings!.......2004-08-25

Bach organ music luckily has some great performers : Karl Richter , Albert Schweitzer , Edward Power Briggs and Helmut Walcha .
The intense chromatism and the whole commitment of Walcha makes of his Tocatta and Fugue in D minor one of the most remarkable versions I have heard . After you listen it you can consider he was a true pupil of the Leizpig court . His sound is so fresh and idiomatic , but filled with conviction . He never will dissapoint you .
And forget his special condition. Walcha was a supreme master of Bach.

5 out of 5 stars Same Experience - Different Continents.......2001-05-30

This is in response to the music fan from Saanichton, B.C., Canada: I was surprised to read about you having grown to love Helmut Walcha playing Bach by having listened to a boxed record set from your dad as a child. Same for me. My dad owned the DG/Archiv set of records. I grew up in th vicinity of Hamburg/Germany in the early 70s and was glued to the record player. Bach's organ works played by Helmut Walcha had an almost hypnotising effect on me and they still have to this day. The typical harmonial, almost mathematical variations of Bach's organ works in their sheer complexity are astounding to any new and seasoned listener. In my opinion, the organ works in this CD particularly illustrate why Bach was compared to the mathematician Godel and the famous artist Escher: "Godel, Escher, Bach : An Eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas R. Hofstadter (Paperback - January 1999).

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