J.S. Bach: Organ Works, Vol. 6 Masaaki Suzuki

• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750): Fantasia super Komm, heiliger Geist, BWV 651:
• 1 Bach: Fantasia super Komm, heiliger Geist, BWV 651 06:22
• Komm, heiliger Geist, BWV 652:
• 2 Bach: Komm, heiliger Geist, BWV 652 09:22
• An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653:
• 3 Bach: An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653 05:34
• Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654:
• 4 Bach: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654 07:24
• Trio super Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend, BWV 655:
• 5 Bach: Trio super Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend, BWV 655 03:49
• O Lamm Gottes unschuldig, BWV 656:
• 6 Bach: O Lamm Gottes unschuldig, BWV 656 08:11
• Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657:
• 7 Bach: Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657 04:59
• Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658:
• 8 Bach: Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658 03:06
• Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659:
• 9 Bach: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 04:35
• Trio super Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 660:
• 10 Bach: Trio super Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 660 03:18
• Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661.
• 11 Bach: Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661 03:06
• Total Runtime 59:46

Info for J.S. Bach: Organ Works, Vol. 6

This sixth instalment of Masaaki Suzuki's critically acclaimed complete organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach presents the first eleven pieces from a manuscript since referred to as the Leipzig Chorales. Conceived around 1739, this collection is unusual in that it contains no new compositions, but rather 'reworkings' of organ chorales dating from the years 1708-17, when Bach was in Weimar. The chorale arrangements are based on established Lutheran melodies that particularly appealed to Bach. They were not intended as preludes for congregational singing, but rather as music to accompany the communion service or as concert music. Bach took great care with this project, selecting the best of his organ music from earlier in his career, and saw it as his legacy for the future. Together with the Orgel-Buchlein, the Schubler Chorales and the third book of the Clavier-ubung, the Leipzig Chorales represent the pinnacle of Bach's sacred organ music. On this recording, Masaaki Suzuki plays the Arp Schnitger organ of the Martinikerk in Groningen, the Netherlands, one of the largest and most famous baroque organs in Northern Europe. Arp Schnitger was the most famous organ builder in northern Germany in the seventeenth century, and his admirers included Buxtehude, Handel and Bach himself.

Masaaki Suzuki, Arp Schnitger-Organ Martinikerk Groningen

Masaaki Suzuki
Since founding Bach Collegium Japan in 1990, Masaaki Suzuki has established himself as a leading authority on the works of Bach. He has remained the music director of the BCJ ever since, taking it regularly to major venues and festivals in Europe and the USA. In addition to working with renowned period ensembles, including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Philharmonia Baroque, he conducts orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in repertoire ranging from Mendelssohn to Stravinsky. Suzuki’s impressive

discography on the BIS label, featuring Bach’s choral works as well as harpsichord and organ recitals, has brought him many critical plaudits – The Times (UK) has written: ‘it would take an iron bar not to be moved by his crispness, sobriety and spiritual vigour’. With the BCJ he is now extending the ensemble’s repertoire with recordings of Mozart’s Requiem and Mass in C minor and Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.

Born in Kobe, Masaaki Suzuki graduated from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music and went on to study harpsichord and organ at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam under Ton Koopman and Piet Kee. Founder and professor emeritus of the early music department at the Tokyo University of the Arts, he was on the faculty at the Yale School of Music and Yale Institute of Sacred Music from 2009 until 2013, and remains affiliated as the principal guest conductor of Yale Schola Cantorum.

Booklet for J.S. Bach: Organ Works, Vol. 6