Bach, J.S. / Busoni, Ferruccio / Ten Chorale-Preludes, Chaconne In D Minor, Organ Toccata In C Major

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1. Feb 02, 2012: The Redefined Soul
(7:12) Organ Toccata In C Major, Bwv 564, Preludio
3. Jan 23, 2012: Mixed Up Class
In dir ist Freude, BWV 615
2. Jan 25, 2012: Everyday Commotion
(2:41) In You Is Joy, Bwv 615
4. Dec 12, 2011: Mixed Up Class
Bach: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645

Album Review
Larry Koran
Reviewed 2011-11-28
Bach, J. S. / Busoni, Ferruccio
Ten Chorale-Preludes, Chaconne in D Minor, Organ Toccata in C Major
Label: Cembal d’amour

Larry K.
Reviewed: 2011-11-27

MORDECAI SHEHORI, PIANO: BACH-BUSONI (TEN CHORALE-PRELUDES, CHACONNE IN D MINOR, ORGAN TOCCATA IN C MAJOR)
Cembal d’amour, 2010

Busoni (1866-1924) transcribed these organ works of JS Bach (1685-1750) “as a prism through which one can perceive new colors and sonorities in the work,” writes pianist Mordecai Shehori. Shehori altered Busoni’s transcriptions to reflect the organ originals more closely, restoring Bach’s original filigree and harmonization, including Bach’s intentional dissonances. The result is voices singing more clearly within and over pungent harmonies. Best-known melodies are: Awake (track 2), the glorious Chaconne (track 11), and the majestic Preludio (track 12 and heroic Fugue (track 14) from the Organ Toccata. Play any of these three tracks and your audience will be pleased.

1. (2:33) Come, God Creator, BWV 667. Lively, ¾ meter, major key.
*2. (4:00) Awake, The Voice Commands, BWV 645. Lovely melody at a walking pace, with a second voice entering at 1:30.
3. (4:17) Now Comes The Gentiles' Savior, BWV 659. Solemn.
4. (2:17) Rejoice, Beloved Christians, BWV 734a. A hasty toccata in running notes, with a slow, tenor melody.
5. (4:35) I Call On Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, BWV 639. The most transcendent of the choral preludes. Reverent. Calm.
6. (2:36) Lord God, Now Open Heaven's Gate, BWV 617. Ethereal soprano sings with an earthly accompaniment.
7. (1:48) All Is Lost Through Adam's Fall, 1st Version, BWV 637. Mildly sad, quiet but not despairing.
8. (3:42) All Is Lost Through Adam's Fall, 2nd Version, BWV 705. Bass register mourning at a glacial pace, rising to soprano mourning.
9. (2:41) In You Is Joy, BWV 615. Antic joy sounding over a dancing bass.
10. (5:48) Jesus Christ, Our Savior, BWV 665. Organ pedal points signify Christ’s passion, bell tones signal salvation. Reverential. Contrapuntal.
*11. (13:22) Chaconne In D Minor (From 2nd Violin Partita, BWV 1004). Lush melody and figuration, weaving wondrous variations.
*12. (7:12) Organ Toccata In C Major, BWV 564, Preludio. Improvisatory, chromatic furies, then an exalted vision one wants to hear repeatedly.
13. (4:46) Organ Toccata In C Major, BWV 564, Intermezzo. Prayerful song, with pungent cadences.
*14. (5:04) Organ Toccata in C Major, BWV 564, Fuga. Ecstatic, dazzling, kaleidoscopic, with sweet whisperings.

Track Listing
1. (2:33) Come, God Creator, Bwv 667   8. (3:42) All Is Lost Through Adam's Fall, 2nd Version, Bwv 705
2. (4:00) Awake, The Voice Commands, Bwv 645   9. (2:41) In You Is Joy, Bwv 615
3. (4:17) Now Comes The Gentiles' Savior, Bwv 659   10. (5:48) Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Bwv 665
4. (2:17) Rejoice, Beloved Christians, Bwv 734a   11. (13:22) Chaconne In D Minor (From 2nd Violin Partita, Bwv 1004
5. (4:35) I Call On Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, Bwv 639   12. (7:12) Organ Toccata In C Major, Bwv 564, Preludio
6. (2:36) Lord God, Now Open Heaven's Gate, Bwv 617   13. (4:46)) Organ Toccata In C Major, Bwv 564, Intermezzo
7. (1:48) All Is Lost Through Adam's Fall, 1st Version, Bwv 637   14. (5:04) Organ Toccata in C Major, Bwv 564, Fuga