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Leo van Doeselaar (Organ)

Bach’s Great Organ Mass

R-2

J.S. Bach: Great Organ Mass

Prelude and Fugue, for organ in E flat major ("St. Anne"), BWV 552: Prelude [10:05]
German Traditional Chorale Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit [2:19]
Heinrich Schütz: Chorale Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, SWV 420 (Op. 13/1) [4:56]
Chorale Prelude Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit (I), BWV 669 [3:37]
Chorale Prelude Christe, aller Welt Trost (I), BWV 670 [4:43]
Chorale Prelude Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist (I), BWV 671 [4:44]
German Traditional Chorale Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her [0:53]
Johann Hermann Schein: Chorale Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her [3:34]
Chorale Prelude Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (VI), BWV 676 [5:37]
German Traditional Chorale Dies sind die heil'gen zehn Gebot [0:37]
Michael Praetorius: Chorale Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot [1:26]
Chorale Prelude Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot (II), BWV 678 [6:07]
German Traditional Chorale Wir gläuben all' an einen Gott [1:25]
Johann Hermann Schein: Cantata Wir gläuben all an einen Gott for 3 voices & continuo (Opella nova, Part 2, No. 24) [4:24]
Chorale Prelude Wir glauben all an einen Gott (I), BWV 680 [3:35]
German Traditional Chorale Vater unser im Himmelreich [0:46]
Samuel Scheidt: Vater unser im Himmelreich (Cantio Sacra I, 3) [4:25]
Chorale Prelude Vater unser im Himmelreich (II), BWV 682 [8:41]
German Traditional Chorale Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam [1:03]
Johann Hermann Schein: Cantata Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam for 2 voices, 2 instruments & continuo (Opella nova, Part 1, No. 13) [1:06]
Chorale Prelude Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam (I), BWV 684 [5:08]
German Traditional Chorale Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir [0:55]
Hans Leo Hassler: Aus tiefer Noth schrei ich zu dir [4:24]
Chorale Prelude Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (I), BWV 686 [5:50]
German Traditional Chorale Jesus Christus, unser Heiland [ 0:44]
Hans Leo Hassler: Jesus Christus, unser Heiland [3:30]
Chorale Prelude Jesus Christus, unser Heiland (VI), BWV 688 [4:39]
Prelude and Fugue, for organ in E flat major ("St. Anne"), BWV 552: Fugue [7:36]

Jos van Veldhoven

Choir of Nederlandse Bachvereniging

Leo van Doeselaar (organ)

Channel Classics

1999

2-CD / TT:

Review: Bach Great Organ Mass by Leo van Doeselaar
Buy this album at: Amazon.com


Donald Satz wrote (January 8, 2000):
Channel Classics recently issued a 2-CD set of Bach's Great Organ Mass featuring Leo van Doeselaar on the organ and the Choir of the Netherlands Bach Society directed by Jos van Veldhoven. Mr. Veldhoven was the conductor of the fine St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) also on Channel Classics.

Before getting to the matter of the performances, I need to explain a little about just what the Great Organ Mass is and the basic concept of the new recording (for it is a concept recording).

The Great/German Organ Mass comes from the third part of Bach's Clavierubung which consists of the Four Duets and a grouping of organ pieces; these organ pieces make up the Great Organ Mass. This organ mass consists, first, of a prelude and fugue (S 552) with the prelude framing the beginning of the mass and the fugue framing the conclusion. Second, there is a series of 21 Chorale-Preludes between the two frames. Most recordings present the series of 21 with the prelude and fugue as the frames - all organ music.

The concept of the new set is to select some of the organ pieces and intersperse them with choral treatments of the chorales, these choral treatments being composed by composers other than Bach. In this case, the choral contributions come from the likes of Schütz, Praetorius, Schein, Scheidt,and Hassler.

I see three considerations with this concept:

1. How well are the organ pieces played.
2. How well are the choral pieces sung.
3. How well does the concept play out.

Concerning the organ pieces, van Doeselaar is an excellent organist and the recorded sound is fantastic. The choral pieces are lovely and expertly sung by the choir.

They also go together quite well. I suppose you could imagine being part of a Lutheran service and soaking up the mix of organ and chorus. Whether this concept wears well over time is a consideration I can't address presently. I'm sure there are listeners who would prefer to have the Great Organ Mass in its entirety without any choral treatment. But for those who love this type of mix and match, the new set could well be a treasure. Personally, I am very glad to have this set under the condition that I also have the Great Organ Mass complete.

Don's Conclusion: A worthy and beautifully played recording for those who already have the complete Great organ Mass. But, those new to these works should first acquire the Mass in its entirety.

 

Great Organ Mass BWV 669-689: Great Organ Mass - Doeselaar | Great Organ Mass - Johannssen | Clavier-Ubung III - Suzuki


Leo van Doeselaar: Short Biography | Amsterdam Bach Soloists | Recordings of Vocal Works | Recordings of Instrumental Works
Reviews of Instrumental Recordings:
Bach Great Organ Mass by Leo van Doeselaar


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