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Wilhelm Kempff
Bach's Instrumental Works

Contents

Recordings of Organ Works
Recordings of Solo Keyboard Works
Recordings of Chamber Works
Recordings of Orchestral Works
Recordings of Arrangements & Transcriptions
Box Sets
Recordings of Vocal Works

Wilhelm Kempff - Short Biography

Piano Transcriptions: Works | Recordings

Discography

Recordings of Organ Works


R-1

Hiroshima: Orgelkonzert aus der Weltfriedenskirche mit werken Werken Von Johann Sebastian Bach

 
 
 

Side A:
1. The Bells of the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace [MP3: 2:12]
2. Chorale Prelude Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I), BWV 639 [MP3: 3:09]
3. Speech of Wilhelm Kempff: Organ, King of Instruments, Instrument of Peace [MP3: 2:18]
4. Chorale Prelude Herzlich tut mich verlangen (as: Wenn Ich Einmal Soll Scheiden), BWV 727 [MP3: 2:01]
Side B:
5. Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 [MP3: 7:31 + 5:38]

Wilhelm Kempff (Klais Organ)

Deutsche Grammophon LPE-17069
BnF Collection

Nov 1954

10'' LP / TT:
MP3 / TT: 24 min

Recorded live at the unveiling ceremony of the pipe organ installed at the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace, Hiroshima, Japan.
Listen on YouTube:
DGG 10" LP: Complete Album [23:54]
00:00: The Bells of the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace
02:12: Chorale Prelude Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I), BWV 639
05:22: Chorale Wenn Ich Einmal Soll Scheiden, BWV 727
08:23: Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582: 1. Passacaille
15:55: Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582: 2. Fugue
21:34: Speech
BnF MP3: Complete Album [Sequence; 6 Tracks; TT: 23:55]
Buy this album at:
BnF Music Downlowd: Amazon.de | Amazon.de

 
 

 

Recordings of Solo Keyboard Works


K-10

Wilhelm Kempff - Bach, Mozart, Schubert & Schumann: The Complete Polydor Recordings (1927-1936)

 
 

1-7. French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 [8:49]
8-9. WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 3 in C sharp major, BWV 848 [3:20]
10-11. WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 5 in D major, BWV 850 [2:58]
12-13. WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 5 in D major, BWV 850 [3:04]
14. Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971: Mvt. 1 [3:33]
15. Bach-Kempff: Largo (Mvt. 2) from concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo in F minor, BWV 1056, transcribed for piano [4:14]
16. Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Wacht auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645, transcribed for piano [5:00]
17. Bach-Kempff: Siciliano (Mvt. 2) from Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 2 in E flat major, BWV 1031, transcribed for piano [2:52]
18. Bach-Kempff: Sinfonia (Mvt. 1) from Cantata BWV 29, transcribed for piano [3:51]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Apr Recordings APR-5638
=

1927-1936 (see dates below)

CD / TT: 74:38
MP3 / TT: 74:24

Recorded probably in Polydor Studios, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.
Executive Producer: Mike Spring; Producer & Audio Restoration Engineer: Mark Obert-Thorn.
Original releases:
1-7: Recorded in July 1935; Matrices: 531½, 532½ GS (Polydor 67066)
8-9: Recorded in 1928; Matrix: 829 bm (Polydor 95107)
10-11: Recorded in 1928; Matrix: 828 bm (Polydor 95107)
12-13: Recorded in 1931; Matrix: 2900 BH (Polydor 90189)
14: Recorded in 1931; Matrix: 2899 BH (Polydor 90188)
15. Recorded in 1927; Matrix: 573 bm (Polydor 66683)
16. Recorded on January 13, 1936; Matrix: 589¾ GS 8 (Polydor 67086)
17. Recorded in 1931; Matrix: 2898½ BH (Polydor 90188)
18. Recorded in 1931; Matrix: 2901 BH (Polydor 90189).
Listen on YouTube:
CD: Complete Album [Sequence; 27 Tracks; TT: 74:50]
Buy this album at:
CD (2022): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


K-1

Wilhelm Kempff: Rare Recordings (1936-1945)
Wilhelm Kempff: Radio Recordings (1945-1956)

1. Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 [11:55]
2. Bach-Kempff: Chorale Jesu bleibet meine Freude (Mvt. 6) from Cantata BWV 147, transcribed for piano [3:48]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Music & Arts
Koch Schwann

Oct 10, 1945 [1]
Aug 18, 1945 [2]

2-CD / TT: 133:56
CD / 56:21

Recorded live at North German Radio Studios, Hamburg, Germany [1-2].
1st recording of Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue BWV 903 by W. Kempff.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com [M&A] | Amazon.com [Koch]


K-3

Kempff: Bach, Beethoven, Schubert

Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D minor, BWV 903 [12:19]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

BBC Legends

1969

CD / TT: 77:10

2nd recording of Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue BWV 903 by W. Kempff. Other works: not by J.S. Bach.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com


K-4

J.S. Bach: Goldberg-Variationen

Goldberg Variations BWV 988

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon

Jul 17-19, 1969

CD / TT: 63:05

Recorded at Beethovensaal, Hannover, Germany.
Buy this album at:
CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.com


K-5

Bach: Englische Suite No. 3; Capriccio BWV 992; Trankrptionen für Klavier

English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808 [19:18]
Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother in B flat major, BWV 992 [10:04]
Bach-Kempff: Sinfonia (Mvt. 1) from Cantata BWV 29, transcribed for piano [4:35]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Wacht auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645, transcribed for piano [4:49]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Jesu bleibet meine Freude (Mvt. 6) from Cantata BWV 147, transcribed for piano [3:23]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659, transcribed for piano [4:35]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Befiehl du deine Wege, BWV 727, transcribed for piano [2:11]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit, BWV 307 / BWV 734, transcribed for piano [2:40]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude In dulci jubilo, BWV 751, transcribed for piano [2:10]
Bach-Kempff: Siciliano (Mvt. 2) from Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 2 in E flat major, BWV 1031, transcribed for piano [3:39]
Bach-Kempff: Largo (Mvt. 2) from concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo in F minor, BWV 1056, transcribed for piano [3:41]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon

Apr 1975

CD / TT: 72:37

Recorded at Beethovensaal, Hannover, Germany. Other works: by G.F. Händel & G.W. Gluck.
Buy this album at: Amazon.com


K-6

J.S. Bach: The Well-tempered Clavier I - Selection

WTC 1: Preludes & Fugues Nos. 1-3 BWV 846-848, Nos. 5-17 BWV 850-862, Nos. 21-22 BWV 866-867

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon

1977; 1980 [BWV 854-859]

CD / TT: 74:09

Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.com


K-7

J.S. Bach: Keyboard Works Preludes & Fugues

WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 4 in C sharp minor, BWV 849 [7:29]
WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 9 in E major, BWV 854 [2:57]
WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 10 in E minor, BWV 855 [4:05]
WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 11 in F major, BWV 856 [2:35]
WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 12 in F minor, BWV 857 [5:59]
WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 13 in F sharp major, BWV 858 [3:24]
WTC 1: Prelude & Fugue No. 14 in F sharp minor, BWV 859 [4:01]
WTC 2: Prelude & Fugue No. 3 in C sharp major, BWV 872 [4:25]
WTC 2: Prelude & Fugue No. 6 in D minor, BWV 875 [3:38]
WTC 2: Prelude & Fugue No. 7 in E flat major, BWV 876 [4:56]
WTC 2: Prelude & Fugue No. 15 in G major, BWV 884 [4:58]
WTC 2: Prelude & Fugue No. 24 in B minor, BWV 893 [5:39]
Toccata No. 3 for keyboard in D major, BWV 912 [10:31]
Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother in B flat major, BWV 992 [10:08]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon

Apr 1975

CD / TT:

Overlapps with selections from [K-5] & [K-6]. Included in Box Set [B-1].
Buy this album at: Amazon.com


K-8

J.S. Bach: Favourite Piano Transcriptions

Bach-Kempff: Sinfonia (Mvt. 1) from Cantata BWV 29, transcribed for piano [4:35]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Jesu bleibet meine Freude (Mvt. 6) from Cantata BWV 147, transcribed for piano [3:22]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit, BWV 307 / BWV 734, transcribed for piano [2:41]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Ich ruf zu dir, Her Jes Christ, BWV 639, transcribed for piano [2:31]
Bach-Kempff:Chorale Prelude Wacht auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645, transcribed for piano [4:49]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659, transcribed for piano [4:33]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Befiehl du deine Wege, BWV 727, transcribed for piano [2:11]
Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude In dulci jubilo, BWV 751, transcribed for piano [2:10]
Bach-Kempff: Siciliano (Mvt. 2) from Sonata for flute & keyboard No. 2 in E flat major, BWV 1031, transcribed for piano [3:39]
Bach-Kempff: Largo (Mvt. 2) from concerto for harpsichord, strings & continuo in F minor, BWV 1056, transcribed for piano [3:42]
English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808 [19:19]
French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 [16:47]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon

Apr 1975

CD / TT:

Overlapps with selections from [K-5] & [K-6]. Included in Box Set [B-1].
Buy this album at: Amazon.com


K-9

J.S. Bach: French Suite No. 5 · English Suite No. 3 · Toccata in D major · Capriccio

English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808 [19:19]
French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816 [16:47]
Toccata No. 3 for keyboard in D major, BWV 912 [10:31]
Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother in B flat major, BWV 992 [10:08]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon 2530 723

Apr 1975

LP / TT:

Overlapps with selections from [K-5] & [K-6]. Included in Box Set [B-1].


Recordings of Arrangements & Transcriptions


T-1

J.S. Bach: Piano Transcriptions, Vol. 2 (Great Pianists) (1925-1950)

 

Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Wacht auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645, transcribed for piano [5:01]

Ellen Ballon (Piano)

Polydor 67086B [589 3/4 GS (67392B)].
Naxos Historical 8.111119

Jan 1936

78 rpm
CD / TT: 79:47

Recorded in Berlin, Germany.
Buy this album at:
Music Download: ClassicsOnline


K-2

L.v. Beethoven: The Piano Sonatas

1. Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit, BWV 307 / BWV 734, transcribed for piano [2:20]
2. Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Ich ruf zu dir, Her Jes Christ, BWV 639, transcribed for piano [3:15]
3. Bach-Kempff: Chorale Prelude Befiehl du deine Wege, BWV 727, transcribed for piano [2:11]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon

Sep 1952 [1]
Nov 1954 [2-3]

8-CD

Recordeed at World Peach Church, Hiroshoma, Japan by Japanese Radio [2-3]; Stuttgart by Süddeutscher Rundfunk [1].
Buy this album at: Amazon.com


Box Sets


B-1

Wilhelm Kempff plays Bach - Piano Transcriptions [Box Set]

Includes: [K-7], [K-8]

Wilhelm Kempff (Piano)

Deutsche Grammophon

Apr 1975

2-CD / TT: 149:15

Buy this album at: Amazon.com [Box Set]


B-2

Wilhelm Kempff: Complete Solo Repertoire on DG [Box Set]

 

CD-3 [70:51]:
20. Chorale Prelude Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ (I), BWV 639 [3:13]
21. Chorale Prelude Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727 [3:04]
22. Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 [13:15]
20-21: Reissue of [R-1]

Wilhelm Kempff (Klais Organ)

Deutsche Grammophon 4790014

Nov 1954


35-CD / TT:

Recorded live at the unveiling ceremony of the pipe organ installed at the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace, Hiroshima, Japan.
Listen on YouTube:
Part 1 [Sequence, 302 Tracks; TT: 19:49:38] + Part 2 [Sequence; 252 Tracks; TT: 20:05:53]
Buy this album at:
35-CD Box Set: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de




The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (November 2006 - February 2022)
Thanks to contributors: Bob Frank (January 2022); Teddy Kaufman (July 2007); Farhan Malik (October 2011)

Wilhelm Kempff: Short Biography | Bach Discography: Recordings of Instrumental Works
Piano Transcriptions:
Works | Recordings


Instrumental Works: Recordings, Reviews & Discussions - Main Page | Order of Discussion
Recording Reviews of Instrumental Works: Main Page | Organ | Keyboard | Solo Instrumental | Chamber | Orchestral, MO, AOF
Performers of Instrumental Works: Main Page | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z




 

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Last update: Thursday, February 17, 2022 12:51