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    Many kind regards
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    Frederik Magle
    Administrator

    Krummhorn
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Bach in Assisi

Frederik Magle

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Regulator
Last fall (2001) I went on a tour with the talented danish choir "Cæciliekoret" in Italy. Among other places, we visited Assisi - a beautiful historical city - and performed a concert in [Old church in Assisi, I really can't remember the exact name of, will find out soon :)]. There, I played J.S.Bach's Toccata & Fuga in d-minor. There was no time for any rehearsal, so it's a little rough but very intense. You can hear the result for yourself if you click on this link: [URL Removed*]Toccata & Fuga (MP3)[/url]. Tell me what you think.

The organ had two manuals, pedal and about 15 stops with pneumatic action. The general condition was not good but still it had some nice individual voices (especially the flutes).

(note: the recording was made by one of the audience, with a consumer minidisc recorder and a small microphone attached. The sound quality is low, but you can hear the music, and that's what matters the most in this case)

EDIT: I have decided to remove the direct URL to the MP3 in this thread, but if you have interest in downloading and listening to the recording please contact me and I will send you a download link. However, you can still download my 1993 live radio broadcast of Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D-minor (BWV 565) from Riga Cathedral.
 

Pamadu

Civilian
Another Gold Cup..What an Interesting Instrument etc. for ONLY 15 Stops.!!!!.A Real Live Feel about it as well.The Recorder did an excellent Job.!!!!!!!..mmmmm Again,We still agree on "The Tempo". Good Work and I bet it Brought Assisi
Great Joy.
Cheers. Paul/Pamadu
 

Frederik Magle

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Regulator
Thanks. I'm really glad we agree on the tempo! Too often I hear Bach played in a dull and unispiring fashion. I don't think J.S.Bach played his own music in a dull way, quite the contrary!

Regarding the instrument: I always try to get the most out of whatever instrument I'm playing on. Getting a small instrument to sound "big" is somehjing I consider a fun challenge
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corno

Vice Admiral of Notes, Dots & at times also Slurs
Sr. Regulator
Well... I think it's safe to assume you've done this before... hehe
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For a live recording (and recorded on a minidisc nonetheless) it's actually quite good... - sometime your "intense" feeling seems to me a bit "hectic", which also pushes the tempo up an extra notch, which in some instances makes the sound somewhat "blurry/fuzzy/cluttered". - but still I think it's a really good performance.
As to the descussion about the tempo my opinion is centered around the idea of the acoustics of that particular room in which a piece is being performed. - I like the brisk tempo you have through-out this performance, though I'm a little curious as to the ending - it's seems a little too "jumpy" even for a "jolly/gay" Bach.
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But all in all, very nice indeed.

Regards,
Thomas
 
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