J.S. Bach: Organ Works

The first volume of Masaaki Suzuki’s survey of Bach’s organ works begins with a mixed recital of famous and lesser-known works. Alongside the great Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 (possibly not by Bach, though attributed to him), and the even greater, almost symphonic Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 548, are some welcome miscellaneous works. The Pastorale in F Major is a charming four-movement work, probably written for the Leipzig Christmas liturgy, while the early Prelude & Fugue in G Minor, BWV 535 is full of improvisatory elements and a satisfying fugue. Two sets of variations—Von himmel hoch, da komm ich her, Op. 7, BWV 769 and O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767—show off the many colors of the organ in the Martinikerk at Groningen, Holland. Masaaki Suzuki is an expressive player with an ear for imaginative stop combinations and manual changes.