Bach: Complete Organ Music – Ton Koopman (16 CDs) WARNER CLASSICS

Koopman’s seminal recordings, collected on 16 CDs.

“It was delightful to be able to choose the organs myself, including two instruments upon which Bach played: the Silbermann organ in the Dom at Freiberg and the Schnitger Instrument in the Jacobi-Kirche in Hamburg. Other historic instruments in Germany and the Netherlands were chosen for particular parts of the project. It was a joy to renew their acquaintance.” Ton Koopman

These quotes are all from Gramophone reviews about the discs in this set when first released individually:

“sensitive, authoritative and perfectly gauged performances, imaginatively registered and stunningly recorded … These are distinguished performances indeed”.

“Here is Koopman on top form: here is Bach playing distinguished by its freshness, vitality and magnetism.”

“Koopman has that something special. So special, in fact, that comparisons are inappropriate.”

“Which brings us to the matter of comparisons. Recently I asked one famous organist whether he had any plans to join that vast throng in recording the complete Bach. His response was that something special was needed in a performer before committing Bach to disc. Koopman has that something special. So special, in fact, that comparisons are inappropriate. Marie Claire Alain (Erato) might surpass in her use of organ colour, while in terms of musicianship the towering timelessness of Helmut Walcha (on Archiv) is matchless; but while Alain’s registrations so often seem to have been deliberately contrived to achieve variety, Koopman’s serve simply to underline the essence of each Prelude (brilliantly in BWV660), and while Walcha gives each little piece ‘stature’, Koopman’s no-nonsense approach is utterly compelling.”

Ton Koopman (at the organs of the Grote Kerk, Maassluis; Grote Kerk, Leeuwarden; St. Jacobi-Kirche, Hamburg; Dom St. Marien, Freiberg; Waalse Kerk, Amsterdam; Basilika St. Alexander und Theodor, Benediktinerabtei Ottobeuren; St.Walburgiskerk, Zutphen; Martinikerk, Groningena)

CONTENTS:
Toccatas, Fantasias, Preludes, Fugues, BWV 531–551, 561–566, 568, 570–572, 574–579, 1121
Passacaglia, BWV 582 L Trio, BWV 583 L Canzona, BWV 588 L Allabreve, BWV 589
Pastorella, BWV 590 L Pedal-Exercitium, BWV 598
Six Sonatas, BWV 525–530
Eight Short Preludes and Fugues, BWV 553–560
Kleines harmonisches Labyrinth, BWV 591
Six Concertos, BWV 592–597
Orgel-Büchlein, BWV 599–644
Schübler Chorale Preludes, BWV 645–650
“The Eighteen” Chorale Preludes BWV 651–668
Clavier-Übung III, BWV 552, 669–689, 802–805
Chorale Partitas, BWV 766–768, 770
Canonic Variations on Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 769a
Breitkopf (Kirnberger) Chorale Preludes, BWV 690, 691, 694–709, 711–713
Neumeister Chorale Preludes, BWV 714, 719, 737, 742, 957, 1090–1120
Chorale Preludes, BWV 715–718, 720–722, 724–736, 738–741, 743, 747, 749,
750, 754–758, 763, 765, 1085, BWV Anh. II 49, 50, 58, 74 & BWV deest