Dutch newbie

[Marc]

Hello!
I'm Dutch (if that's worth mentioning ) and I'm new to this forum, as you might have guessed.

Even though I already liked the sound of the pipe organ when I was a child, this instrument has been some kind of my changeling. Dunno why, really (or maybe I do and don't want to talk about it ).
But, when one's in love with the music of J.S. Bach, eventually one will also come to .... the pipe organ.

Heard Gustav Leonhardt play 2 years ago on this instrument:



........

Have a guess!

After that fine experience, I found myself interested in both organ and harpsichord (another 'Leonhardt' instrument) in an increasing manner.
During appr. the last year-and-a-half, I have been listening to recordings with these instruments more and more. The last 3/4 months the organ is almost my daily bread & butter. First I (re)turned to Hans Fagius (BIS/Brilliant) and after that to .... some others.

Hopefully I can learn a lot at this board. About the technical aspects of the organ I know almost nothing. So, there's a lot to read and discover. And also a lot to listen to. (If I only could find the time!!!)

And, who knows, I might be that self-opiniated to inform the board about my own taste and likings.

Till next time!

Greetings,
Marc.

[Mat]

Hi Marc,

If you're keen on pipe organ (and I see that you are), then you're in the right place. There are people here who really know a lot about the instrument, composers, ect. . If you want to talk about something else (non)related to music - feel free. We've got discussions on broad range of subjects.

Have a look around and do join in.


Cheers,
Mat

[Marc]

Hello Mat,
thanks for the welcome.

Yes, at first I thought this was an organ board. And I decided: let's step in (for reasons I sort of explained).
But indeed, there's a broad range of subjects discussed around here. And I don't mind.
This week, I've been listening to various specimen of music. Listening to classical music though has become my favourite hobby. My most cherished composers are Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Mahler.
But of course: there's a lot more in this world .... and on this board.

Greetings,
Marc.

[Krummhorn]

Welcome to this great forum, Marc

You're sure to enjoy the discussions related to the organ, both pipe and its electronic/digital counterparts. Lots of knowledgeable people here to chat with.

Looking forward to seeing you about the boards here. Enjoy!

[Marc]

Krummhorn, thanks for the kind words.

Right now I'm listening to one of my favourite Bach compositions: the Fantasia und Fuge in c-moll, BWV 537.

I first 'met' with this piece about 10 or 12 years ago, after I bought a Naxos CD with Wolfgang Rübsam. His performance was bold and heavy, with a growling pedal bass, and also played in a rather 'stop-and-go' manner. The organ (Metzler-organ, Sankt Michaëlskirche, Eutin [Germany] sounded fine, but I wasn't all that satisfied with Rübsam's performance.

Now I listen to the Dutch organist Piet Wiersma, who played a lot of Bach on historic organs in the northern county of Groningen, Netherlands. Unfortunately he died before completing his Bach-cycle.
His performance of BWV 537 might technically not be as perfect as Rübsam, but it has got some transcendental qualities. Very peaceful and comforting.
Normally one would say: a good Finale of a Friday (it's about 22:30 here)! But I think I want to listen to some more.

See you again on the board!

[marval]

Hello Marc,

Welcome to this great place. look forward to seeing you join in.


Margaret

[Marc]

Marval AKA Margaret,

thanks for the welcome!

Musical greetings,
Marc.

[rovikered]

[QUOTE= Right now I'm listening to one of my favourite Bach compositions: the [I]Fantasia und Fuge in c-moll[/I], BWV 537.

I first 'met' with this piece about 10 or 12 years ago, after I bought a Naxos CD with Wolfgang Rübsam. His performance was bold and heavy, with a growling pedal bass, and also played in a rather 'stop-and-go' manner. The organ (Metzler-organ, Sankt Michaëlskirche, Eutin [Germany] sounded fine, but I wasn't all that satisfied with Rübsam's performance.

Now I listen to the Dutch organist Piet Wiersma, who played a lot of Bach on historic organs in the northern county of Groningen, Netherlands. Unfortunately he died before completing his Bach-cycle.
His performance of BWV 537 might technically not be as perfect as Rübsam, but it has got some transcendental qualities. Very peaceful and comforting.
Normally one would say: a good Finale of a Friday (it's about 22:30 here)! But I think I want to listen to some more.

Hi Marc !
Welcome to the Board.
I, too, do not care for Wolfgang Rubsam's (sorry I can't include the Umlaut) interpretation of Bach for the same reasons as you give. I have not heard of the Dutch organist Piet Wiersma but clearly you find his interpretations more satisfying.
My favourite interpreters of Bach's Organ Works are :

1. Organist of the past - Helmut Walcha (most of his Bach recordings have been re-mastered and are available on Deutsche Grammophon). Although I admire a number of other Bach interpretations it is to Walcha I return as the final arbiter.

2. Present-day Organist - Gerhard Weinberger who has recently completed a many years long project recording the complete Organ Works on historic organs of Bach's time(and some of them known to Bach).I now have all the discs ( the last one was released last year) and one of the great advantages is that Weinberger's registrations are listed in the accompanying booklets. Some of the registrations are illuminating. Weinberger's knowledge and scholarship are profound and his own notes in the booklets are a fund of information. The recordings (recently reissued in a boxed set) are available on the 'cpo' label. I strongly recommend them to any who like to hear Bach played on historic instruments.

Anyway, Marc, best wishes and good listening (AND playing?!)
rk

[Marc]

Hi Marc !
Welcome to the Board.

Thank you!

I, too, do not care for Wolfgang Rubsam's (sorry I can't include the Umlaut) interpretation of Bach for the same reasons as you give. I have not heard of the Dutch organist Piet Wiersma but clearly you find his interpretations more satisfying.
My favourite interpreters of Bach's Organ Works are :

1. Organist of the past - Helmut Walcha (most of his Bach recordings have been re-mastered and are available on Deutsche Grammophon). Although I admire a number of other Bach interpretations it is to Walcha I return as the final arbiter.

I like that expression the final arbiter! But it's a bit too soon for me, to describe Walcha like that. But yes, he has been very important to the art of Bach playing after World War 2, no doubt about that. Even if I would not like his interpretations myself, I'm sure that he fully deserves this 'objective' praising.
I own his mono set (1947-1952) and listen to it from time to time. To put it in one sentence: both crystal clear playing AND recording!

2. Present-day Organist - Gerhard Weinberger who has recently completed a many years long project recording the complete Organ Works on historic organs of Bach's time(and some of them known to Bach).I now have all the discs ( the last one was released last year) and one of the great advantages is that Weinberger's registrations are listed in the accompanying booklets. Some of the registrations are illuminating. Weinberger's knowledge and scholarship are profound and his own notes in the booklets are a fund of information. The recordings (recently reissued in a boxed set) are available on the 'cpo' label. I strongly recommend them to any who like to hear Bach played on historic instruments.

On several internet sites his box set is available for a budget price. So I ordered it and received it last week. I did some 'snip snap' (is this Dutch?) listening and think it's a good set. Although some volumes are (too) closely recorded for my taste. Funny enough other volumes have a brilliant and spatial recording sound, as if you're listening to it in the middle of the church building. Of course I'm very pleased with the fact that he added an extra volume to perform the 'brand new' BWV 1128 and Die Kunst der Fuge.

Anyway, Marc, best wishes and good listening (AND playing?!)

With my small hands and clumsy fingers I sometimes play the old piano that once belonged to my grandfather. He was organist at the church, and playing much much better. At his burial, the priest ended the service with the organist is dead, long live the organist! Even though the family was mourning, everybody felt quite happy and comforted by those words.

See ya again at the board,
Marc.

[rovikered]

Thank you!



I like that expression the final arbiter! But it's a bit too soon for me, to describe Walcha like that. But yes, he has been very important to the art of Bach playing after World War 2, no doubt about that. Even if I would not like his interpretations myself, I'm sure that he fully deserves this 'objective' praising.
I own his mono set (1947-1952) and listen to it from time to time. To put it in one sentence: both crystal clear playing AND recording!



On several internet sites his box set is available for a budget price. So I ordered it and received it last week. I did some 'snip snap' (is this Dutch?) listening and think it's a good set. Although some volumes are (too) closely recorded for my taste. Funny enough other volumes have a brilliant and spatial recording sound, as if you're listening to it in the middle of the church building. Of course I'm very pleased with the fact that he added an extra volume to perform the 'brand new' BWV 1128 and Die Kunst der Fuge.



With my small hands and clumsy fingers I sometimes play the old piano that once belonged to my grandfather. He was organist at the church, and playing much much better. At his burial, the priest ended the service with the organist is dead, long live the organist! Even though the family was mourning, everybody felt quite happy and comforted by those words.

See ya again at the board,
Marc.

The first time I heard Walcha on record was on one of his old (original) 1947 recordings, and I remember being so impressed by the precision and the clarity of the performance. I was also impressed by the detailed information given inside the record sleeve and the accompanying inserted card.At that time, only Deutsche Grammophon seemed to produce such detailed information. I collected a number of these recordings (but not all of them) from the 1947-52 period and I still have them in my collection but with wear and tear over the intervening 50 year period they now sound somewhat crackly (some more than others) although I have taken great care of them.
It was only last year that I got round to buying Walcha's complete set (his second such Bach venture for Deutsche Grammophon) re-mastered and re-issued on CD.
Re Weinberger's set, I agree that the inclusion of BWV 1128 is a bonus along with 'The Art of Fugue'. However, Walcha's collection also includes 'The Art of Fugue' as, I believe, do several others.

Bws again.
rk

[Marc]

Re: Weinberger set / Die Kunst der Fuge.
You're absolutely right about other organists playing this great composition. My English isn't always that well, and the 'extra' happiness I was referring to was a reference to BWV 1128.

Re: Helmut Walcha.
You said you own a Walcha integral on CD, his second verture. This is the stereo box set, years 1959-1971?
Because, if you want to listen to a fine remastered version of his first mono set, maybe you'd be glad to know that there is a budget edition available:
http://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-Organ.../dp/B000E6UL6I

Though without a booklet with (detailed) information, I think it's worth every penny!

[rovikered]

Re: Weinberger set / Die Kunst der Fuge.
You're absolutely right about other organists playing this great composition. My English isn't always that well, and the 'extra' happiness I was referring to was a reference to BWV 1128.

Re: Helmut Walcha.
You said you own a Walcha integral on CD, his second verture. This is the stereo box set, years 1959-1971?
Because, if you want to listen to a fine remastered version of his first mono set, maybe you'd be glad to know that there is a budget edition available:
http://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-Organ.../dp/B000E6UL6I

Though without a booklet with (detailed) information, I think it's worth every penny!

Hi Marc,
My boxed set of Walcha includes recordings from Sept. 1956 - May, 1971.
Thanks for your information re the remastered first mono set. I didn't know they had been reissued but I shall now follow that up. Grateful thanks, once again.
Bws.
rk

[Corno Dolce]

Aloha Marc,

Welcome Aboard! Please do make yourself feel at home here.

Cheers,

CD

[Marc]

Aloha Marc,

Welcome Aboard! Please do make yourself feel at home here.

Cheers,

CD

Thanks!

Until now, it's been OK!
Surely it will stay that way!

Greetings,
Marc.

[wljmrbill]

welcome Marc form another organist/teacher. One of my modern favorite organist for Bach is Paul Jacobs, head of the Organ Dept of Julliard School of Music in USA Here is link to one Performance of Him lately playing Bach. Take Care and Have fun here, Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hczd6WKMBUc