Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Saya Hashino
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Solo Musica
Release: 2022
Size: 337 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C Major, BWV 564
02. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
03. Trio super, Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 664b
04. Prelude & Fugue in B Minor, BWV 544
05. Kyrie, Gott Vater in Ewigkeit, BWV 669
06. Christe, aller Welt Trost, BWV 670
07. Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 671
08. Passacaglia in C Minor, BWV 582
09. Vor deinen Thron tret’ ich, BWV 668a
One of the greatest innovations of Baroque music is undoubtedly the thoroughbass, or basso continuo, of which Bach himself wrote: “Thoroughbass is the entire foundation of music, it is played with both hands, so that the left hand plays the written notes, while the right hand adds consonances and dissonances, creating an agreeable Harmony to the glory of God and to the proper enjoyment of the senses”. Because there is basso continuo, the melody can unfold in all its fullness, with that resonant profile that is so characteristic of the Baroque aesthetic. The great majority of the pieces are Preludes, that is to say, they anticipate a continuation: usually a sung chorale, the theme of which is to be found in the Prelude, where it sets the tone for the assembly; these hymns were sung during Lutheran services. And they are lacking because we have concentrated on the instrumental side.
Bach and his composing colleagues have made some small contribution to this, by leaving us instrumental works that directly touch the soul and seem to speak for themselves. The pieces on this album are taken principally from two collections of Bach’s works: the third part of the Clavier-Übung and the eighteen great Preludes for organ.
Saya Hashino is a virtuosic concert pianist, organist, harpsichordist who brings life to a diverse musical repertoire with finesse and expressivity. Truly versatile and versed in early, chamber, orchestral and contemporary music, she plays her keyboard instruments regularly with highly-acclaimed and established orchestras. Saya is titular organist of Saint-Germain Church in Geneva, where this recording was also made on an impressive 18-stop organ built by the German organ builder Lukas Fischer.