Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Ferencz Liszt, Max Reger, Robert Schumann
Performer: Simon Johnson
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Chandos
Catalogue: CHSA 5285(2)
Release: 2022
Size: 2.27 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
01. Bach: The Art of Fugue, BWV1080: Contrapunctus XIV
Mendelssohn, Lutz: Sonata on the Choral O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
02. I. Choral
03. II. Fuga
04. III. Finale
Schumann: Six Fugues on B-A-C-H, Op. 60
05. Fuga I
06. Fuga II
07. Fuga III
08. Fuga IV
09. Fuga V
10. Fuga VI
11. Brahms: Fugue in A flat minor, WoO 8
CD 02
01. Bach: Musical Offering, BWV1079: Ricercar a 6
Liszt: Prelude & Fugue on B-A-C-H, S260
02. I. Präludium
03. II. Fuga
04. III. Allegro
05. IV. Maestoso
Reger: Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H, Op. 46
06. I. Fantasie
07. II. Fuge
Karg-Elert: Passacaglia & Fugue on B A C H, Op. 150
08. I. Introduzione
09. II. Prima parte
10. III. Seconda parte
11. IV. Terza parte
12. V. Adagio e piano
13. VI. Fuga
In musical notation in Germany, the letter “H” is used to represent the note B natural. So, the name “Bach” forms an elegant phrase of two pairs of falling semitones. This proved an inspiration to Johann Sebastian, whose musical “signature” appears again and again throughout his extensive output. Two shining examples are included on this album – the “unfinished fugue” Contrapunctus XIV à 4 from Die Kunst der Fuge (as completed by Lionel Rogg) and the exquisite Ricercar à 6 from Musikalisches Opfer.
Bach’s signature – as well as musical invention – has directly influenced scores of other composers down the years, as evidenced by the works included here, from Mendelssohn to Karg-Elert. The organist and, from 2008 until 2021, Assistant Director of Music at St Paul’s Cathedral, Simon Johnson has used his knowledge and insight to construct this programme to demonstrate the extraordinary range and scope of the cathedral’s organ. Recorded by the Chandos technical team, this album provides an outstanding testament to this fine instrument and to the unique acoustic of the world-renowned cathedral in which it sits.