Walcha: Bach – The Art Of Fugue (2 CD, APE)

Performer: Helmut Walcha
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Audio CD
SPARS Code: ADD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Archiv
Size: 738 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc: 1
01. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 1. Contrapunctus 1
02. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 2. Contrapunctus 2
03. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 3. Contrapunctus 3
04. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 4. Contrapunctus 4
05. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 5. Contrapunctus 5
06. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 6. Contrapunctus 6, a 4, in Stylo Francese
07. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 7. Contrapunctus 7, a 4, per Augmentationem
08. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 8. Contrapunctus 8, a3
09. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 9. Contrapunctus 9, a 4, alla Duodecima
10. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 10. Contrapunctus 10, a 4, alla Decima
11. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 11. Contrapunctus 11, a 4
12. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 12. (14) Canon alla Ottava
13. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 13. (17) Canon alla Duodecima in Contrapuncto
14. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 14. (16) Canon alla Decima in Contrapuncto
15. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 15. (14) Canon per Augmentationem in Contrapuncto
16. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 16. (13) Contrapunctus a 3 – rectus
17. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 16. (13) Contrapunctus a 3 – inversus
18. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 17. (12) Contrapunctus a 4 – rectus
19. Die Kunst der Fuge BWV 1080: 17. (12) Contrapunctus a 4 – inversus

Disc: 2
01. Prelude and Fugue, for organ in C major, BWV 547 (BC J11): Praeludium
02. Prelude and Fugue, for organ in C major, BWV 547 (BC J11): Fuga
03. Trio Sonata for organ No. 1 in E flat major, BWV 525 (BC J1): 1. (Allegro)
04. Trio Sonata for organ No. 1 in E flat major, BWV 525 (BC J1): 2. Adagio
05. Trio Sonata for organ No. 1 in E flat major, BWV 525 (BC J1): 3. Allegro
06. Toccata, Adagio and Fugue, for organ in C major, BWV 564 (BC J36): Toccata
07. Toccata, Adagio and Fugue, for organ in C major, BWV 564 (BC J36): Adagio
08. Toccata, Adagio and Fugue, for organ in C major, BWV 564 (BC J36): Fuga
09. Trio Sonata for organ No. 6 in G major, BWV 530 (BC J6): 1. Vivace
10. Trio Sonata for organ No. 6 in G major, BWV 530 (BC J6): 2. Lento
11. Trio Sonata for organ No. 6 in G major, BWV 530 (BC J6): 3. Allegro
12. Toccata and Fugue, for organ in D minor, BWV 565 (BC J37): Toccata: Adagio
13. Toccata and Fugue, for organ in D minor, BWV 565 (BC J37): Fuga

I first heard this same version of Art of the Fugue on an LP (showing my age unfortunately). It has been remastered and released along with several other selections. Astounding is one word that comes to mind. Magisterial is another. Authentic is yet another.

Helmut Walcha was the blind genius who recorded Bach’s entire organ output FROM MEMORY. That feat in itself deserves a medal of some kind. I’ve heard the Art of the Fugue by string quartet, violin, harsichord, piano, guitar, and my favorite, organ. (Perveresly, I’d love to hear it on one of the French Cavaille-Coll “symphonic” instruments.) Despite all the hogwash about Bach’s intentions that it was written without a particular instrument in mind, it is hard to believe that someone could hear this recording and not be absolutely convinced that the organ, HIS instrument, was the one he had in mind.

The phrasing, held notes, pedals – all point to an organistic setting. It is true that neither tempi nor registration accompanied the manuscript but Bach did not always include both for many of the “great” preludes and fugues. One of the best features of the LP version was the large pamphlet of notes including themes. In the sheet music edited by Walcha he “finishes” the final fugue and one wishes that were included here – even over the protests of purists.

My grade: A