Johann Sebastian Bach(1685-1750)
       Organ Works, Volume 5

Prelude & Fugue in G minor, BWV 535
Prelude & Fugue in G major, BWV 550
Prelude & Fugue in A minor, BWV 543
Chorales, BWV 715-717, 722-724, 729, 734, 739
Trio in D minor, BWV 583
Pastorella in F major, BWV 590

CPO 999654
Recorded 1996
Released 1999
Joachim Wagner Organ of St. Mary's Church, Angermunde(1744)
Gerhard Weinberger, Organ
TT 67:22

This is the 5th volume from Gerhard Weinberger of his traversal of
the complete Bach organ works on CPO.  In my reviews of the previous
four volumes, Weinberger's demonstrative and relatively severe approach
to Bach's music has often been illuminating.  However, there have been
times when he overdoes the severity at the expense of lyricism.  Also,
there have been a few Bach works which would easily handle Weinberger's
severity, but he abandons this approach and goes soft; this switch usually
has had negative results.  From an overall view, I consider Weinberger's
series through the 4th volume to be a highly worthy addition to Bach's
organ discography; his performances of Bach's Orgelbuchlein are
particularly outstanding.

Most of the program for the 5th volume consists of early Bach works,
particularly the Preludes & Fugues BWV 535 & 550.  Weinberger is
exceptional in every work excepting for the chorale setting BWV 729
where his soft and thin registrations are somewhat ineffectual.

Weinberger's severity remains at a high level, but he never skimps on
Bach's poetry.  There are three additional aspects of his performances
which make volume 5 an essential acquisition.  First, Weinberger often
uses registrations which enhance the music's brash qualities; this works
to perfection in BWV 535 & 550 which are the best performances on record.
Second, although Weinberger's tempos are defintely on the slow side, the
intervals are not wide as he stretches the notes and provides a 'reaching
for the higher plateau' element that is irresistable in many of the
programmed works.  Third, Weinberger's registrations are often delectable
as in the Trio in D minor which is another 'best' on record.

The Joachim Wagner Organ's resources are used beautifully by Weinberger,
and the recorded sound is exemplary.  Add in the commanding performances
from Weinberger, and we have one of the best volumes so far in the series.

I won't go into my journey through the disc except to report my initial
efforts.  I started by listening to my favorite versions of BWV 535
from Andrea Marcon on Hanssler and Christopher Herrick on Hyperion.
Unfortunately, neither one was particularly enjoyable.  I assumed that
I just wasn't in the mood for organ music, but I did put on Weinberger's
BWV 535 in order to make some progress in the review process.  Weinberger's
version astounded me; the brashness, stretching, and severity combination
totally won my affection.  Thoroughly smitten, I continued listening
straight-through to the entire disc and was consistently subjected to
incisive and illuminating performances(except for BWV 729).  I then took
out my favorite recordings of all the works on the disc to insure that
Weinberger did stand up to their quality; the results were most favorable
for Weinberger.

Don's Conclusions:  After a rocky start in Volume 1, Gerhard Weinberger's
Bach organ cycle is evolving into one of the most rewarding I know.
I should emphasize that quite a few reviewers have been less than
complimentary with their remarks on each volume.  The general complaint
revolves around Weinberger's severity and the feeling that his performances
are not sufficiently uplifting and actually on the somber side.  Obviously,
my reactions have been far different, and I find the negative remarks quite
alien and impossible to explain other than the usual comment that different
tastes lead to different conclusions.

If you have any interest in trying Weinberger out, I suggest starting with
either Volume 3(Orgelbuchlein) or Volume 5.  I think each is an outstanding
Bach organ recording and well worth your investigation.  Another plus is
that CPO has been issuing each volume at much less than premium price.

Don Satz
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