Bach-de Grigny-Couperin-Marchand
         Selected Organ Works

Johann Sebastian Bach:
Prelude in E flat major, BWV 552
Fantasy in C minor, BWV 562
Trio in F major, BWV 587
Fantasy and Fugue in C minor, BWV 537
Piece d'orgue, BWV 572

Nicolas de Grigny:
Fugue a 5
Tierce en taille
Offertoire sur les grands jeux

Francois Couperin:
Excerpts from Messe des Paroisses

Louis Marchand:
Excerpts from Livre Premier

Loft Recordings LRCD 1024
Released 2000
Charles B. Fisk Organ, Stanford University(1984)
Kimberly Marshall, Organ
TT 72:13

Summary: A Disc For All Seasons

The basic theme of this disc is that music of the French Baroque with
its emphasis on tone color and timbre influenced the music of Bach, and
I doubt that any informed person would disagree with that view.  Further,
the liner notes to the disc promote the Fisk Organ of Stanford University
as one of the few organs in the world which "incorporated salient features
of different historical styles into one instrument, creating a historically
informed eclecticism".  The Fisk Organ is reportedly famous for having two
tuning systems: a modified meantone suited for French organ music and a
well-tempered system appropriate for German organ music.  This must be an
organ for all seasons.

Performing on the Fisk Organ is Ms. Kimberly Marshall who earned her
Doctorate in Music from the University of Oxford in 1986.  Since that time,
she has maintained an active career as an organist and research scholar.
Marshall has taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London and at Stanford
University; her most recent teaching stint is at Arizona State University.
Other recordings from Marshall have concentrated on the Renaissance, Bach,
and French classical and romantic periods.

I become more impressed with Marshall's performances and the Fisk Organ
with each additional listening.  She has an elegant and dignified way
about her which I find irresistable.  However, there's also a high degree
of animation in her readings, and the power she invests in works such as
the Bach Prelude BWV 552 is admirable.  Lyricism holds no problems for
Marshall, and she is 'tasteful' in the best sense of the word.  I am most
impressed with how she glides from the German to French music so naturally.
The Fisk Organ also makes the adjustments splendidly; this really is an
organ for all seasons.

Below are a some comments I took down while going through the disc:

Marshall plays the Bach works very well.  Her style includes much legato
in comparison to Bach organists such as Gerhard Weinberger and Andrea
Marcon; the result tends toward smooth performances.  However, there's
nothing 'flat' about them.  Marshall is quite animated and expressive;
her readings are lovely, heart-felt, and elegant.  She can also summon
up admirable strength as evidenced by her Prelude in E flat major and
the Piece d'orgue.  I am most impressed with Marshall's Trio which is
abundant in playfulness and optimism.  Overall, although Ms. Marshall's
performances do not astound me, they are thoroughly enjoyable and
appreciated.

The performances of the French works are delightful; Marshall's love for
this music clearly is revealed.  She delivers great poignancy in pieces
like de Grigny's "Tierce en taille" and provides impressive majesty and
exuberance to de Grigny's long "Offertoire sur les grands jeux".  Couperin
and Marchand are equally honored by Marshall who easily takes me to the
French Court.

Don's Conclusions: I have a glowing feeling after listening to Marshall
that stems from a wonderful organ and performances full of the love and
energy of music.  The disc is heartily recommended to everyone, and I
consider it an essential acquisition for those who appreciate a recording
which excels in both Germanic and French Baroque organ music.

Coming up will be a review of Marshall's companion disc titled "Bach and
the Italian Influence".  More Bach and more Marshall sounds like a fine
combination to look forward to.  See you soon.

Don Satz