For this uniquely compiled new recording of Bach's organ works, the Italian organist Manuel Tomadin devised a concept of organizing music by the four seasons. There are 12 pieces on the album, opening with the vaulting arpeggios of the G major Prelude BWV541. To each season is given it's own prelude and fugue - all of them masterpieces from Bach's Leipzig period - as well as a pair of shorter works. These include superb chorale preludes such as Christ unser Herr, zum Jordan kam BWV564 but also much lesser-known music such as the C minor Fantasia BW1121: a youthful piece of reverent serenity, and the Kleines Harmonisches Labyrinth BWV591. The authorship of this tripartite work has often been questioned - it came to light as part of the Neumeister Chorales within the last century - but the daring sequences at it's close are highly redolent of the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue that is one of Bach's undisputed masterpieces. On this recording Manuel Tomadin plays the Christoph Treutmann organ of 1737 in the former Collegiate Church of St. George, Grauhof, Germany. The booklet includes photos and specification of the organ as well as Tomadin's own authoritative introduction to the music on the album. His extensive discography on Brilliant Classics has met with wide critical praise. 'For both completeness and budget price, Tomadin has no competition, and merits a cordial recommendation accordingly.' (Fanfare, January 2019, reviewing the organ works of Vincent LÃ¼beck). 'Tomadin performs with equal grace on all three instruments, demonstrating the interchangeability of the music. The phrasing is precise and convincing, and Tomadin has a positive knack for making the simplest of lines and lyrical themes interesting and listenable. He will have done a tremendous service to the world of music in this recording.' (Fanfare, July 2016, reviewing the keyboard music of Alberti).

Tracklist:

Prelude And Fugue In G Major, Bwv 541: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In G Major, Bwv 541: II. Fugue
Herr Jesu Christ, Dich Zu Uns Wend In G Major, Bwv 709 A 2 Clav. E Ped.
Trio Herr Jesu Christ, Dich Zu Uns Wend In G Major, Bwv 655 A 2 Clav. E Ped.
Prelude And Fugue In E Minor, Bwv 548: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In E Minor, Bwv 548: II. Fugue
Vater Unser Im Himmelreich, Bwv 682 A 2 Clav. Et Ped.
Jesus Christus Unser Heiland In E Minor, Bwv 666
Fantasia In C Minor, Bwv 1121
Christ, Unser Herr, Zum Jordan Kam, Bwv 684 A 2 Clav. E C F In Pedale
Prelude And Fugue In C Minor, Bwv 546: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In C Minor, Bwv 546: II. Fugue
Kleines Harmonisches Labyrinth In C Major, Bwv 591
Gelobet Seist Du, Jesu Christ Bwv 604 A 2 Clav. E Ped.
Prelude And Fugue In C Major, Bwv 545: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In C Major, Bwv 545: II. Fugue

UPC: 5028421957869
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 12.6.19
Format: CD

J Bach S / Tomadin - Harmonic Seasons (CD)