Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Passacaglia in c minor BWV 582

Albrecht Koch plays Johann Sebastian Bach´s Passacaglia in c minor BWV 582 at the 1714 Silbermann Organ of Freiberg Cathedral. Freiberg, the city where Gottfried Silbermann had his workshop between 1711 and 1753, is a member of ECHO. With kindly permission by Querstand, the cd label of Publishing Group Kamprad.

[infledermaus]

Powerful instrument. Bach. My hero. Great match. Very elaborately decorated. Both the cathedral and the organ. Thank you for sharing.

[nickdouglass]

Not an expert but I always think Bach sounds best on these beautiful Baroque organs with their steely tone. Since this one was built during Bach's lifetime you can almost him sitting at this console. Superb interpretation by the way.

[meyersonfire]

Just beautiful to look at this organ. I love Bach, but it just feels there's something even more beautiful to be played on this piece of art

[lenanielsen]

Love Bach's Passacaglia
amazing organ sound so beautiful
Love it🍃

[maru]

Non so cosa poteva aver visto Bach per scrivere queste opere stupende e indimenticabili nel tempo. Era proprio un genio e secondo me, essendo musicista, è proprio colui che ha gettato le principali basi della musica, è un padre fondatore. I suoi brani si basano su regole precise e perfette, affiancate secondo me da lunghe riflessioni per decidere dove ogni nota doveva stare e come doveva stare, il che rendono il brano un'opera d'arte, come un quadro dove tutti i colori sono messi nella giusta posizione per far venire alla mente della persona che sta guardando (o sentendo per il brano) ricordi passati o interrogativi senza risposta. Scrivo questo messaggio il 28 luglio, data della morte di questo indimenticabile genio della musica.

[MitchBoucherComposer]

Wonderful performance on a wonderful organ! You look a bit like Josh Groban.

[PointyTailofSatan]

ARGH! What tuning is that? It's like nails on a chalkboard!

[odfoto]

Thank you! One of the best versions I've heard. The organ sound i great. In which system is it tuned? Kirnberger? It's also a good performance, even though I should hav prefered a less pronounced ritardando in baroque music, but it's not a big deal here. Thumb ut on this performance!

[adriennowak]

Malheureusement une performance aussi pauvre que inintéressante au niveau des registrations de la passacaille. Ca fait mal à la tete d'entrenetre ces fournitures du debut à la fin...

[larrydenyer]

One thing the GDR did was to leave these organs untouched. Not on the radar!
That's only what I think?

[peteacher]

A fine performance, as good as any - you maintained the momentum and drama of the piece between the two parts by not pausing before the fugue as was once the common practice, a practice that greatly detracted from the overall unity that Bach (probably?) intended.

[charlottewhyte]

low ped notes badly out of tune, horrible to listen too.

[thelaughingman]

something very apocryphal about this piece. i love it!

[a.luisf.prieto]

Maravillosa obra del más GRANDE. BEAUTIFUL.

[tonychl]

Qué colosal y maravilloso instrumento de viento, qué bajos tan impresionantes, una versión muy bella y nítida, gracias.

[twlai]

Impressive playing Bach Greatest Organ Work!

[nathanmadson]

I love how you guys are all criticizing a professional organist with a prestigious cathedral position and years of experience. If he does something that seems "funny", then there's definitely a solid reason for it.

[jeansimon]

Thank you for posting this video - the beauty is overwhelming: the music, the architectural magnificence, and the talent of the young musician. Enormously grateful.

[nickdouglass]

Also I recently heard this played on an English Romantic Cathedral instrument and it just didn't connect as this one does.

[glj]

Excellent cinemation. Very great organ, sound, and clean player.