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Bach at Haarlem (the Netherlands)
Christian Müller organ, 1735-1738
Jonathan Dimmock, organ
Regarded as having one of the most beautiful organ cases in the world, the 1738 Christian Müller organ at the Bavokerk in Haarlem speaks nobly into one of the great acoustical environments of Europe. With 60 speaking stops, it was the largest organ in the world when built. Played on by Handel, the ten-year-old Mozart, Mendelssohn and countless other musicians over the past 275 years, this instrument continues to impress those fortunate enough to hear and play it.
A Grammy® Award winner (for his work with the San Francisco Symphony), Jonathan Dimmock has recorded more than 35 CDs and concertized extensively on six continents. This recording features some of Bach's most popular works, including the famous Toccata in d minor.
Program
1. Praeludium et Fuga in e, BWV 548 2. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731 3. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 720 4. Toccata con Fuga in d, BWV 565 5. Largo, from the Harpsichord Concerto in f, BWV 1056 6. Fuga in G (the “Jig”), BWV 577 7. Passacaglia, BWV 582 8. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 709 9. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 737 10. Praeludium et Fuga in E, BWV 566 11. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her, BWV 715
This recording is a major achievement. The tonal brilliance
and eloquence of the justly-famous Müller Organ in the Bavokerk, Haarlem, The
Netherlands (1738) are brought fully to life through Loft’s superb engineering
and production. The organ’s broad range of color is everywhere vivid, and the
grand acoustical environment which it inhabits conveys the sound with clarity–even
at its most live and reverberant. One might be thankful for these
sound-characteristics by themselves in such a recording, but the true value
comes from Jonathan Dimmock’s sensitive, artful handling of a supreme historic
instrument. The selection of repertoire is intelligent and judicious. There is
a bold beginning with the “Wedge” Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, and indeed,
there are other monolithic works as well…A welcome surprise comes in a transcription
of the slow movement from Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor. In all cases,
the performer’s intention seems not at all to impose “novel” interpretation or
personal idiosyncrasy upon the music. Jonathan Dimmock persuasively offers the
listener a more intrinsic, essential understanding of this oeuvre. While he is
clearly in control of it, he can also allow it to speak entirely for itself,
making him a fitting steward of the works he performs on this disc. Tempi and
pacing are carefully judged; the color palette of the instrument is exploited
to the fullest, yet always in an appropriate context. Even at moments where my
own subjectivity might intrude on the listening process, Dimmock molds his
performances as one who everywhere sees the bigger picture; the formal
articulation is always clear and expressive, but never over-the-top. The
ubiquity of the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor has always inclined me to hold
that work at arm’s length. In this case though, Dimmock’s rendition
communicates its spirit with an interpretative force that is undeniably
genuine.
–Association of
Anglican Musicians Journal A review in San Francisco Classical Voice may be found here:
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