Walther-Pepping-Bach
Chorale Preludes
Johann Gottfried Walther(1684-1748):
1. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
2,3. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
4,5. Werde munter, mein Gemute
6,7. Jesu Leiden, pein und Tod
8. Herzlich tut mich verlangen
9,10. Allein zu, dir Herr Jesu Christ
11. Christus, der ist mein Leben
12,13. Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr'
14,15. Erschienenist der herrliche Tag
16. Erstanden ist der heilige Christ
17. Warum sollt' ich mich denn gramen
18,19. Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht
20,21. Lobt Gott, ihr Christen allzugleich
22. Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott
Ernst Pepping(1901-1981):
23,24. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her II
25. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm' ich her III
26,27. Jesus Christus herrscht als Konig
28,29. Zeuch an die Macht, du Arm des Herrn
30,31. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen, g'mein
32. Sollt' ich meinem Gott nicht singen
Johann Sebastian Bach(1685-1750):
33,34. Valet will ich dir gehen(Cantata No. 95)
35. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier(BWV 731)
36. Ich will hier bei dir stehen(Cantata No. 159)
37. Jesus, meine Zuversicht(BWV 728)
38. Wenn wir in hochsten Nothen sein(BWV 641)
39. Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott(Cantata No. 80)
Calcante 021
Recorded March 1996
The Gerhard Brunzema Organ, Kitchener, Ontario
Thomas Donahue, Organ
TT 67:29
The Brunzema organ, originally built in 1982, is a central theme of this
Calcante disc. The concept is to marry the best qualities of the organ
with chorale preludes of beauty, optimism, and charm. The mellow and
well-defined nature of this instrument is very impressive; it relaxes and
envelops this listener completely.
Thomas Donahue clearly knows the instrument's strengths and exploits them
at every turn. His performances are lovely, serene, and on the slow side.
These are readings to luxuriate with, not to analyze. I should note that
Donahue often does a work twice. As he consisely states, "Selections
played twice are meant to show contrasting or complementary stop
combinations".
Below is my journey through the disc:
Bach's BWV 728 & 731 - I listened to seven alternative versions of BWV 728,
and Donahue's slow reading has the most stark textures of the group. This
is quite distinctive and detailed, especially since the piece employs no
pedal. In BWV 731, Donahue is *very* slow; however, the reading is
gorgeous and luxuriating.
Bach's BWV 641 - This is one of the few chorale arrangments from Bach's
Orgelbuchlein which has an embellished melody in the soprano voice.
Although Donahue is on the slow side again, he gives a lovely and superbly
detailed reading just as rewarding as the excellent ones from Rogg,
Preston, and Saorgin. You wouldn't think that Donahue would have
competition from another version on the same small record label, but that's
what happens as Robert Clark performs the work on a Calcante set having all
of Bach's Orgelbuchlein. Clark is much quicker than Donahue but the
soprano voice is poorly detailed and projected.
The reason I started my listening regime with the above three Bach chorales
is that I have many alternative versions of each. So I figured that I
could get a good sense of Donahue's particulars from these three pieces.
His performances are slow to very slow; that will get different reactions
from listeners. However, there's no denying the tasteful and lovely
readings he provides. Both Donahue and the Brunzema organ offer a
laid-back package high on lyricism; that's not a bad proposition when the
music consists of chorale arrangements. The arrangements from the Cantatas
represent nice listening which adds to the total effect of a benign and
satisfied Bach.
Why is Ernst Pepping hanging around with Bach and Walther? Well, he sounds
much more in sync with the high baroque than you would surmise from his
birth date. There are motifs where you know that the man comes from the
20th century, but his overall style is right back in Bach's period and even
before. There are times when Pepping sounds like the reincarnation of
Bach, Weckmann, and Scheidemann with some of the good cheer of Krebs. It's
wonderful music that instantly takes one back in time. Pepping, at least
from these organ pieces, writes expertly with outstanding fluidity and
quite a knack for creating irresistable themes. Most important, I consider
Pepping's inclusion on the disc a great programming decision; he fits right
in while adding distinctiveness to the disc.
Walther is like a 'little' Bach. He does not possess Bach's genius, but
he tries as best he can. Actually, his best is easily good enough for
the concept behind the disc. Walther's contributions to the recording
are mellow, comforting, and very lyrical. Donahue and the Brunzema organ
perform beautifully, taking the full measure of the music's strengths to
the listener.
Don's Conclusions: An essential addition to the library of lovers of
baroque organ recordings. The music is infectious, the performances are
excellent, and the Brunzema organ is a delight. For me, Brunzema and
Pepping are the names to remember. I couldn't ask for an organ better
suited to the pieces on the recording, and I think it likely that most
purchasers would end their listening session feeling better about the world
and their role in it.
If interested, just go to Dave's website, find his list of recording
companies, and click on 'Calcante'. I have found the company's screens,
order procedures, and delivery times most agreeable. Of course, I have no
connection with Calcante other than plunking down my money to get their
recordings. So far, I have ten Calcante discs which vary in quality just
like any other label's offerings. The stunning Brunzema/Donahue disc is
the best of the ten.
Don Satz
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