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 CÃ¶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.

Tracklist:

Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, Bwv 543: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In A Minor, Bwv 543: II. Fugue
Valet Will Ich Dir Geben, Bwv 736
Trio Sonata In E-Flat Major, Bwv 525: I. ‒
Trio Sonata In E-Flat Major, Bwv 525: II. Adagio
Trio Sonata In E-Flat Major, Bwv 525: III. Allegro
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita I
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita II
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita III
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita IV
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita V
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita VI
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita VII
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita VIII
Partita On "O Gott, Du Frommer Gott", Bwv 767: Partita IX
Fantasia On "Valet Will Ich Dir Geben", Bwv 735
Trio Sonata In C Minor, Bwv 526: I. Vivace
Trio Sonata In C Minor, Bwv 526: II. Largo
Trio Sonata In C Minor, Bwv 526: III. Allegro
Prelude And Fugue In G Major, Bwv 541: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In G Major, Bwv 541: II. Fugue
Prelude And Fugue In D Major, Bwv 532: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In D Major, Bwv 532: II. Fugue
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Helft Mir Gottes Güte Preisen, Bwv 613
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Das Alte Jahr Vergangen Ist, Bwv 614
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: In Dir Ist Freude, Bwv 615
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Mit Fried' Und Freud' Ich Fahr Dahin, Bwv 616
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Herr Gott, Nun Schleuß Den Himmel Auf, Bwv 617
Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott, Bwv 720
Trio Sonata In D Minor, Bwv 527: I. Andante
Trio Sonata In D Minor, Bwv 527: II. Adagio E Dolce
Trio Sonata In D Minor, Bwv 527: III. Vivace
Erbarm Dich Mein, O Herre Gott, Bwv 721
Concerto In D Minor After Vivaldi, Bwv 596: I. ‒
Concerto In D Minor After Vivaldi, Bwv 596: II. Grave
Concerto In D Minor After Vivaldi, Bwv 596: III. Fuga
Concerto In D Minor After Vivaldi, Bwv 596: IV. Largo
Concerto In D Minor After Vivaldi, Bwv 596: V. Allegro
Trio Sonata In E Minor, Bwv 528: I. Adagio
Trio Sonata In E Minor, Bwv 528: II. Vivace
Trio Sonata In E Minor, Bwv 528: III. Andante
Trio Sonata In E Minor, Bwv 528: IV. Un Poc'allegro
Prelude And Fugue In G Major, Bwv 550: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In G Major, Bwv 550: II. Fugue
Prelude And Fugue In C Major, Bwv 545: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In C Major, Bwv 545: II. Fugue
Trio Sonata In C Major, Bwv 529: I. Allegro
Trio Sonata In C Major, Bwv 529: II. Largo
Trio Sonata In C Major, Bwv 529: III. Allegro
Prelude And Fugue In G Minor, Bwv 535: I. Prelude
Prelude And Fugue In G Minor, Bwv 535: II. Fugue
Schübler Chorales, Bwv 645-650: No. 1, Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme, Bwv 645
Schübler Chorales, Bwv 645-650: No. 2, Wo Soll Ich Fliehen Hin, Auf Meinen Lieben Gott, Bwv 646
Schübler Chorales, Bwv 645-650: No. 3, Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott Läßt Walten, Bwv 647
Concerto In C Major After Vivaldi, Bwv 594: I. ‒
Concerto In C Major After Vivaldi, Bwv 594: II. Recitativo. Adagio
Concerto In C Major After Vivaldi, Bwv 594: III. Allegro
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Chorale
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation I
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation II
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation III
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation IV
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation V
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation VI
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation VII À 2 Clav. E Ped.
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation VIII
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation IX À 2 Clav. E Ped.
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation X À 2 Clav. E Ped.
Partita On "Sei Gegrüßet, Jesu Gütig", Bwv 768: Variation XI À 5 Voci (Organo Pleno)
Toccata And Fugue In F Major, Bwv 540a: I. Toccata
Toccata And Fugue In F Major, Bwv 540a: II. Fugue
Schübler Chorales, Bwv 645-650: No. 4, Meine Seele Erhebt Den Herren, Bwv 648
Schübler Chorales, Bwv 645-650: No. 5, Ach Bleibt Bei Uns, Herr Jesu Christ, Bwv 649
Schübler Chorales, Bwv 645-650: No. 6, Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel Herunter Auf Erden, Bwv 650
Fugue On A Theme By Corelli, Bwv 579
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: O Lamm Gottes, Unschuldig, Bwv 618
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Christe, Du Lamm Gottes, Bwv 619
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Christus, Der Uns Selig Macht, Bwv 620
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Da Jesu An Dem Kreuze Stund', Bwv 621
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: O Mensch, Bewein' Dein Sünde Groß, Bwv 622
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Wir Danken Dir, Herr Jesu Christ, Bwv 623
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Hilf, Gott, Daß Mir's Gelinge, Bwv 624
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Christ Lag In Todesbanden, Bwv 625
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, Der Den Tod Überwand, Bwv 626
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Christ Ist Erstanden, Bwv 627 – Verses 1, 2 & 3
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Erstanden Ist Der Heil'ge Christ, Bwv 628
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Erschienen Ist Der Herrliche Tag, Bwv 629
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Heut' Triumphieret Gottes Sohn, Bwv 630
Das Orgelbüchlein, Bwv 599-644: Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist, Bwv 631
Trio Sonata In G Major, Bwv 530: I. Vivace
Trio Sonata In G Major, Bwv 530: II. Lento
Trio Sonata In G Major, Bwv 530: III. Allegro

UPC: 5028421948508
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 3.25.14
Format: CD

Stefano Molardi - Complete Organ Music 1 (CD)