Marie-Claire Alain: Bach – Complete Works For Organ (24/96 FLAC)

Composer: Johann Christoph Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Böhm, Johann Kaspar Ferdinand Fischer, Johann David Heinichen, Gottfried August Homilius, Johann Ludwig Krebs, Nikolaus Vetter, Johann Gottfried Walther
Performer: Marie-Claire Alain
Number of Discs: 15
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Erato
Catalogue: 9029563453
Release: 2018
Size: 22.1 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

CD 01
Bach: Organ Sonatas, BWV 525-530
No. 1 in E-Flat Major, BWV 525
01. I. (Allegro)
02. II. Adagio
03. III. Allegro

No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526
04. I. Vivace
05. II. Largo
06. III. Allegro

No. 3 in D Minor, BWV 527
07. I. Andante
08. II. Adagio e dolce
09. III. Vivace

No. 4 in E Minor, BWV 528
10. I. Adagio – Vivace
11. II. Andante
12. III. Un poco allegro

No. 5 in C Major, BWV 529
13. I. Allegro
14. II. Largo
15. III. Allegro

No. 6 in G Major, BWV 530
16. I. Vivace
17. II. Lento
18. III. Allegro

CD 02
Bach: 6 Schübler Chorales, BWV 645-650
19. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
20. Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 646
21. Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten, BWV 647
22. Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, BWV 648
23. Ach bleib’ bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 649
24. Kommst du nun, Jesus, vom Himmel herunter, BWV 650

Bach: BWV 565, 545, 533, 540, 578, 564, 562
Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565
25. I. Toccata
26. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in C Major, BWV 545
27. I. Prelude
28. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in E Minor, BWV 533
29. I. Prelude
30. II. Fugue

Toccata & Fugue in F Major, BWV 540
31. I. Toccata
32. II. Fugue

33. Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578

Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C Major, BWV 564
34. I. Toccata
35. II. Adagio
36. III. Fugue

37. Fantasia & Fugue in C Minor, BWV 562

CD 03
Bach: BWV 542, 572
Fantasia & Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542
38. I. Fantasia
39. II. Fugue

Fantasia in G “Pièce d’orgue”, BWV 572
40. I. Très vitement
41. II. Gravement
42. III. Lentement

Bach: Orgelbüchlein
43. Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 599
44. Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 600
45. Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn, BWV 601
46. Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott, BWV 602
47. Puer natus in Bethlehem, BWV 603
48. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 604
49. Der Tag der ist so freudenreich, BWV 605
50. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 606
51. Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar, BWV 607
52. In dulci jubilo, BWV 608
53. Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV 609
54. Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 610
55. Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 611
56. Wir Christenleut, BWV 612
57. Helft mir, Gottes Güte preisen, BWV 613
58. Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 614
59. In dir ist Freude, BWV 615
60. Mit Fried’ und Freud ich fahr dahin, BWV 616
61. Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf, BWV 617
62. O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 618
63. Christe, du Lamm Gottes, BWV 619
64. Christus, der uns selig macht, BWV 620
65. Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund, BWV 621
66. O Mensch, bewein dein’ Sünde groß, BWV 622
67. Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 623
68. Hilf Gott, daß mir’s gelinge, BWV 624
69. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 625
70. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 626
71. Christ ist erstanden, BWV 627
72. Erstanden ist der heil’ge Christ, BWV 628
73. Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag, BWV 629
74. Heut’ triumphieret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630
75. Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist, BWV 631

CD 04
Bach: Orgelbüchlein
76. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 632
77. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 633
78. Dies sind die heil’gen zehnn Gebot’, BWV 635
79. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636
80. Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 637
81. Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BWV 638
82. Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
83. In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr, BWV 640
84. Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641
85. Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 642
86. Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 643
87. Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig, BWV 644
88. Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727
89. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 709
90. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 706
91. Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her, BWV 738

Bach: Passacaglia & Fugue in c minor, BWV 582
92. I. Passacaglia
93. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in A Major, BWV 536
94. I. Prelude
95. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in G Major, BWV 541
96. I. Prelude
97. II. Fugue

Bach: Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 538 “Dorian”
98. I. Toccata
99. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in D major, BWV 532
100. I. Prelude
101. II. Fugue

CD 05
Bach: BWV 537, 544, 566, 593, 596, 582
Fantasia & Fugue in C Minor, BWV 537
102. I. Fantasia
103. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in B Minor, BWV 544
104. I. Prelude
105. II. Fugue

Toccata & Fugue in E Major, BWV 566
106. I. Toccata
107. II. Fugue

Organ Concerto Transcription in A Minor, BWV 593
108. I. (Allegro)
109. II. Adagio
110. III. Allegro

Organ Concerto Transcription in D Minor, BWV 596
111. I. Allegro, Grave, Fugue
112. II. Largo
113. III. Finale

Organ Concerto Transcription in G, BWV 592
114. I. (Allegro)
115. II. Grave
116. III. Presto

CD 06
Bach: BWV 594, 590
Organ Concerto in C Major, BWV 594
117. I. (Allegro)
118. II. Recitativo (Adagio)
119. III. Allegro

Pastorale in F, BWV 590
120. I. Alla Siciliana
121. II. Allemande
122. III. Aria
123. IV. Alla Gigue

Bach: 8 Short Preludes & Fugues, BWV 553-560
Prelude & Fugue in C Major, BWV 553
124. I. Prelude
125. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 554
126. I. Prelude
127. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in E Minor, BWV 555
128. I. Prelude
129. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in F Major, BWV 556
130. I. Prelude
131. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in G Major, BWV 557
132. I. Prelude
133. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in G Minor, BWV 558
134. I. Prelude
135. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in A Minor, BWV 559
136. I. Prelude
137. II. Fugue

Prelude & Fugue in B-Flat Major, BWV 560
138. I. Prelude
139. II. Fugue

140. Bach: Canzona in D minor, BWV 588

Bach: 18 Great Leipzig Chorale Preludes, BWV 651-668
141. Fantasia super “Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott”, BWV 651
142. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 654

CD 07
Bach: 18 Leipzig Chorale Preludes, BWV 651-668
143. Trio super “Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend”, BWV 655
144. O Lamm Gottes unschuldig, BWV 656
145. Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
146. Trio super “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland”, BWV 660
147. Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661
148. An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653
149. Nun danket alle Gott, BWV 657
150. Trio super “Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr'”, BWV 664
151. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 662 (Canto fermo in sopr.)
152. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 663 (Canto fermo in tenor)
153. Vor deinen Thron tret’ ich, BWV 668
154. Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heilger Geist, BWV 667
155. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658
156. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 665 (sub Communione)
157. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 666 (manualiter)

CD 08
Bach: 18 Leipzig Chorale Preludes, BWV 651-668
158. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BWV 652

Bach: Clavier-Übung III, BWV 552, BWV 669-689, 802-805
159. Prelude & Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552: I. Prelude
160. Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 669
161. Christe, aller Welt Trost, BWV 670
162. Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 671
163. Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 672 (manualiter)
164. Christe, aller Welt Trost, BWV 673 (manualiter)
165. Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 674 (manualiter)
166. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 675
167. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 676
168. Fughetta super “Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr'”, BWV 677
169. Dies sind heil’gen zehn Gebot’, BWV 678
170. Fughetta super “Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot'”, BWV 679
171. Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott, BWV 680
172. Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott, BWV 681
173. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 682
174. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 683 (manualiter)
175. Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 684
176. Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 685 (manualiter)
177. Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 686

CD 09
Bach: Clavier-Übung III, BWV 552, BWV 669-689, 802-805
178. Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 687 (manualiter)
179. Jesu Christus, unser Heiland, BWV 688
180. Fuga super “Jesu Christus, unser Heiland”, BWV 689 (manualiter)
181. Duetto I in E Minor, BWV 802
182. Duetto II in F Major, BWV 803
183. Duetto III in G Major, BWV 804
184. Duetto IV in A Minor, BWV 805

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552
185. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C Major, BWV 547
186. I. Prelude
187. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 539
188. I. Prelude
189. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in G Major, BWV 550
190. I. Prelude
191. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in E Minor, BWV 548
192. I. Prelude
193. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in F Minor, BWV 534
194. I. Prelude
195. II. Fugue

CD 10
Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C Minor, BWV 546
196. I. Prelude
197. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in A Minor, BWV 551
198. I. Prelude
199. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C Minor, BWV 549
200. I. Prelude
201. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543
202. I. Prelude
203. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C Major, BWV 531
204. I. Prelude
205. II. Fugue

Bach: Prelude & Fugue in G Minor, BWV 535
206. I. Prelude
207. II. Fugue

Bach: Chorale Preludes
208. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g’mein, BWV 734
209. In dulci jubilo, BWV 729
210. An Wasserflüssen Babylon, BWV 653b

211. Bach: Fuga sopra il Magnificat, BWV 733

Bach: Chorale Preludes
212. Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 690 & harmonized choral
213. Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 691
214. Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 694
215. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 730
216. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731

CD 11
Homilius: Chorale Preludes
217. Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 759
218. Wir glauben all an einen Gott, BWV 740
219. Fughetta super “Dies sind die heil’gen zehn Gebot'”, BWV 735
220. Erbarm’ dich mein, o Herre Gott, BWV 721
221. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 699
222. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 718

Bach: Fantasia & Fugue in A Minor, BWV 561
223. I. Fantasia
224. II. Fugue

Bach: Fantasia con imitazione in B minor, BWV 563
225. I. Fantasia
226. II. Imitazione

227. Bach: Fugue in D Major, BWV 580
228. Bach: Fugue in C Minor, BWV 575
229. Bach: Prelude in C Major, BWV 567
230. Bach: Prelude in A Minor, BWV 569
231. Bach: Prelude in G Major, BWV 568
232. Bach: Fugue in G Major, BWV 577 “Alla giga”
233. Bach: Allabreve in D Major, BWV 589
234. Bach: Fugue in B Minor, BWV 579
235. Bach: Fantasia in C Major, BWV 570
236. Bach: Fugue in G Major, BWV 576
237. Bach: Pedal-Exercitium in G Minor, BWV 598
238. Bach: Fugue in G Minor, BWV 131a

CD 12
Bach: Fantasia in G Major, BWV 571
239. I. Allegro
240. II. Adagio
241. III. Allegro

Bach: Concerto in C Major, BWV 595
242. Allegro

Bach: Concerto [Trio] in E-Flat Major, BWV 597
243. I. Allegro moderato
244. II. Gigue

245. Bach: Fugue in C minor, BWV 574
246. Bach: Prelude in C Major, BWV 943
247. Bach: Fugue in C Major, BWV 946

Bach: Trio in C minor, BWV 585
248. I. Largo
249. II. Allegro un poco

Bach: Trio in G Major, BWV 1027a
250. Allegro moderato

Bach: Trio in D minor, BWV 583
251. Adagio

Bach: Trio in G Major, BWV 586
252. Allegro

253. Bach: Aria in F Major, BWV 587
254. Heinichen: Kleines harmonisches Labyrinth, BWV 591

Bach: Chorale Preludes
255. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 754
256. Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BWV 732
257. Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott, BWV 704
258. Valet will ich dir geben, BWV 736
259. Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her, BWV 700
260. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her, BWV 701
261. Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 739
262. Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud, BWV 710
263. Ach, was ist doch unser Leben, BWV 743

CD 13
Böhm: Chorale Preludes
264. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 760
265. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 761
266. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 762
267. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 737
268. Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh’ darein, BWV 741
269. In dulci jubilo, BWV 751
270. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 722
271. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 723
272. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 697
273. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 706/2
274. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 715
275. Fuga super “Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr'”, BWV 716
276. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 711
277. Ach Gott und Herr, BWV 692
278. Ach Gott und Herr, BWV 693
279. Ach Gott und Herr, BWV 714
280. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 695
281. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 695 (figured bass)
282. Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 763
283. Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BWV 742
284. Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BWV 705
285. Jesus, meine Zuversicht, BWV 728
286. Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 696
287. Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 703
288. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 726
289. In dich hab’ ich gehoffet, BWV 712
290. Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 713
291. Christus, der uns selig macht, BWV 747

Bach: Partita diverse sopra “Christ, der du bist der helle Tag” in F Minor, BWV 766
292. I. Partita 1
293. II. Partita 2
294. III. Partita 3
295. IV. Partita 4
296. V. Partita 5
297. VI. Partita 6
298. VII. Partita 7

CD 14
Bach: Partita diverse sopra “O Gott, du frommer Gott” in C Minor, BWV 767
299. I. Partita 1
300. II. Partita 2
301. III. Partita 3
302. IV. Partita 4
303. V. Partita 5
304. VI. Partita 6
305. VII. Partita 7
306. VIII. Partita 8
307. IX. Partita 9

Bach: Partita diverse sopra “Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütig” in G Minor, BWV 768
308. I. Choral
309. II. Partita 1
310. III. Partita 2
311. IV. Partita 3
312. V. Partita 4
313. VI. Partita 5
314. VII. Partita 6
315. VIII. Partita 7
316. IX. Partita 8
317. X. Partita 9
318. XI. Partita 10
319. XII. Partita 11

Bach: Canonic Variations on “Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her”, BWV 769
320. I. Variation 1
321. II. Variation 2
322. III. Variation 3
323. IV. Variation 4
324. V. Variation 5

Bach: Partite diverse sopra “Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen” in E Minor, BWV 770
325. I. Partita 1
326. II. Partita 2
327. III. Partita 3
328. IV. Partita 4
329. V. Partita 5
330. VI. Partita 6
331. VII. Partita 7
332. VIII. Partita 8
333. IX. Partita 9
334. X. Partita 10

Vetter: Partita “Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr” in G Major, BWV 771
335. I. Variation 1
336. II. Variation 2
337. III. Variation 3
338. IV. Variation 4
339. V. Variation 5
340. VI. Variation 6
341. VII. Variation 7
342. VIII. Variation 8
343. IX. Variation 9
344. X. Variation 10
345. XI. Variation 11
346. XII. Variation 12
347. XIII. Variation 13
348. XIV. Variation 14
349. XV. Variation 15
350. XVI. Variation 16
351. XVII. Variation 17

Bach: Choral Prelude
352. Aus der Tiefe rufe ich, BWV 745

Bach: Chorale Préludes
353. Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 691a
354. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 683a (manualiter)
355. Trio in G Minor, BWV 584
356. Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 720
357. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BWV 698
358. Das Jesulein soll doch mein Trost, BWV 702
359. Ich hab’ mein Sach’ Gott heimgestellt, BWV 708
360. Ich hab’ mein Sach’ Gott heimgestellt, BWV 707
361. Ich hab’ mein Sach’ Gott heimgestellt, BWV 707bis
362. Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr’, BWV 717
363. Der Tag der ist so freudenreich, BWV 719
364. Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV 725
365. Herr Jesu Christ, mein’s Lebens Licht, BWV 750

366. Bach: Fugue in G Major, BWV 581

CD 15
Bach: Chorale Préludes
367. Gottes Sohn ist kommen, BWV 724
368. Auf meinen lieben Gott, Krebs-WV 517 (BWV 744)
369. Christ ist erstanden, BWV 746
370. Gott der Vater wohn’ uns bei, BWV 748
371. Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 752
372. Nun freuet euch, lieben Christen, BWV 755
373. O Herre Gott, dein göttlich’s Wort, BWV 757
374. O Vater, allmächtiger Gott, BWV 758
375. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 749
376. Nun ruhen alle Wälder, BWV 756

377. Introduction by Michel Garcin
378. Bach: Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott, BWV 765
379. A conversation between Marie-Claire Alain and Michel Garcin

Marie-Claire Alain, one of the supreme organists of the 20th century, grew up in a distinguished musical family that was obsessed with Bach. He duly proved a determining force in her life and she made no fewer than three complete recordings of his mighty catalogue of organ works. She embarked upon the first of these in 1959, when she was 33, and completed it eight years later. Described by Alain as the most “instinctive” of her assembled interpretations of Bach, it is now released on CD for the first time, specially remastered from the original tapes.

Reissued for the first time in its entirety and magnificently restored by Christophe Hénault at his Art et Son studio in Annecy from the original soundtracks, this first complete Bach work signed by Marie-Claire Alain is of stunning beauty. Recorded between 1959 and 1967 on various historical instruments in Denmark, Sweden and Germany, this recording, described by the performer herself as “the most instinctive” of the three she recorded, benefits from remarkable sound recordings that perfectly showcase the instruments chosen by the great French organist.


Fighting from her youth against the mathematical rigidity with which Bach’s music was too often treated, she strove instead to release its vital energy, leaving aside an overly strong dialectic and countering the overly emotional. This great artist was well aware that organ music, and Bach’s in particular, had to be modelled on each instrument used, adapting its playing, sound and technique to each occasion. « For each concert I give », she said, « I am obliged to rework each work according to the instrument I have at my disposal.»


Disappeared on February 27, 2013 at the age of eighty-six, Marie-Claire Alain had put an end to her career in 2010 after having given more than 2,500 concerts and recorded 250 discs that still retain their great historical value. (Qobuz / François Hudry)


Record label note: This very first re-release on CD of Marie-Claire Alain’s first complete recording of Bach’s organ works has benefited from meticulous cleaning up of the original tapes. The very color of analog sound is preserved in all its purity. On a few tracks, it proved impossible to remove some minor noise and extraneous sounds that were captured during the recording sessions and which can still be heard. However, these defects are fortunately very few in number and do not detract in any way from the superb audio quality of these newly restored recordings of some exceptional performances. We will dwell on the poetic and perfectly balanced tones of the Varde organ, probably Marie-Claire Alain’s favourite.


Marie-Claire Alain plays the following organs (specified in each track):
— Denmark: Marcussen Organ, St.Jacobs Church, Varde (CDs 1, 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15) – Frobenius Organ, St.Nicholas Church, Middelfart (CDs 5, 6) – Marcussen Organ, St. Paul Church, Aarhus (CDs 6, 7, 8) – Marcussen Organ, St. Mary’s Church, Sønderborg (CDs 8, 9) – Marcussen Organ, Christians Church, Sønderborg (CDs 8, 9) – Marcussen Organ, Holmens Church, Copenhagen (CDs 9, 10, 11) – Marcussen Organ, St. Nicholas Church, Aabenraa (CD 13)
— Sweden: Marcussen Organ, St. Mary Church, Helsingborg (CDs 2, 3, 5)
— Germany: Marcussen Organ, St. Peter’s Cathedral (Dom), Schleswig (CD 11)