J.S. Bach: Toccata in F Major, BWV 540 (Official Dan Campolieta Live Performance Video)

Toccata in F Major, BWV 540
Johann Sebastian Bach

Dan Campolieta, organ
Recorded live at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford, CT
April 3, 2013

The longest of Bach's extant organ preludes, there is some question as to when this piece was actually composed, and if indeed it should be coupled with the Fugue in F Major, BWV 540/2, which is not nearly as grand and complex as the toccata. Due to this uncertainty, the toccata is often performed separately, as is the case here.

The work begins with a canon between the hands, with the right hand leading, over an F pedal tone in the bass. This is followed by an impressive pedal solo. After the piece's first cadence, Bach repeats the canon in inversion, with the left hand leading, now in the key of C Major. The second pedal solo ends with the hands rejoining with off-beat chords containing unexpected harmonies. These chords will serve as important transitional material for the rest of the piece.

The remainder of the toccata is joyous in character and has the feeling of an unending song, as cadences are rare and the piece is continually spinning in new directions. A new theme is introduced containing similar pitches to the opening canon, but with a more upward trajectory. This becomes a ritornello which leads through the circle of fifths. At the end of the episode, Bach returns to the transitional chords, leading to an unusual cadence (V to V 4/2 of Neopolitan) which also navigates through a B-A-C-H motif in the pedal.

Following is a trio based on the opening canon theme. At this point, all the material for the piece has been introduced. Bach continues to alternate between ritornello episodes and this trio material. Bach's contrapuntal mastery shines through because each time the trio section occurs, the parts are inverted so that by the end of the piece, each hand and the feet have played each of the three musical lines in their respective registers. From a technical standpoint, the pedal parts in these sections are some of the most difficult organ excerpts in the entire repertoire to perform in context.

The final ritornello episode is cut short and leads to a long coda beginning in B-flat and then transitioning to a long C pedal. For the last time, we hear the transitional chords, the V 4/2 of Neapolitan cadence, the B-A-C-H motif, and the final cadence in F Major.

Combining elements of the North German pedal toccata, Italian ritornello, and flawless counterpoint, it is no surprise why this piece is one of the most well-known of Bach's works.

Performed on the 1961 Aeolian-Skinner with 68 ranks at historic Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, CT. Dan Campolieta has served as Organist and Associate Music Director at Asylum Hill Congregational Church since 2007, and is also a composer and jazz pianist.

[ronwalker]

WOW, WHAT GORGEOUS TECHNIQUE. IT IS LUSH, VIBRANAT AND PACED FOR PLEASURE AND GRANDEUR. THIS IS MY FAVORITE VERSION.
EVERY PHRASE FEELS NORMAL AND IN THE EXACT RIGHT PLACE. THIS IS MY FAVORITE ORGAN GENIUS.

[lkrupp]

I’ve listened to a lot of performances of this work on YouTube and most are either slogs or speed races. This performance is right on the money for me tempo wise. Driving yet not overly so. The technique is superb and the registration amazing. Applause to Mr. Campolieta.

[chrisfeild]

Still the best interpretation of BWV 540 on YT!

[MartinSmithMFM]

Just hearing the first half second I know that you, the organ and the tempo are pure gold. Sure I will now hear it all!

[generalackbar]

*WELCOME TO ONE OF THE BEST RENDITIONS OF BWV540 EVER ON YOUTUBE.*
And trust me : I love that 540 and I have heared _tons_ of it. _Actually, tons_ including accordion or orchestral covers, Power Biggs, Carpenter and other MC Allain rendtions, and v.Hoef, and v.Doeselaar, and Latry, and Chapuis, and so many....
The tempo, the registration and the overall way of playing that masterpiece : *everything is top notch* here.
Hats down. I kneel.

[Kurt_Outdoors]

Absolutely amazing! This is real for this!

[josephjacob]

7 years later, I get to listen to this.
It is totally magnificent, Dan!
Well done.

[luapralks]

Best performance on YouTube. Better than any other by the most well known performers. Genius.

[pbrowera]

One thing is certain: if after I die I hear this I will be 100% certain that I am in the Good Place.

[oliverjackson-hutt]

Exquisite. Simply out of this world. The clarity, coherence and pace provides an exposition which really is exceptional.

[MrWilhelm]

An absolutely outstanding performance of one of my favourite Bach compositions! Thank you very much!

[PMS]

Tremendous performance : exciting and majestic. The organ is beautifully voiced and combines exquisite tone with a wonderful dynamic, building to a thrilling conclusion.

[Tommo]

Hi, Dan, its my favorit piece, too…..i am organist in one church in Croatia and often play this video for myself and enjoy in it every time. i would like to learn that toccata but its for me like a dream that never become true. But you make my dreaming true…..Thank you and God bless you!

[dancampolieta]

Thank you very much, it's one of my all-time favorite Bach works as well, no question

[bispiano]

A heroic Toccata played by a master organist!
Wonderful

[Hermes]

Bach deserves enormous credit for sensing so early the huge emotional
and dramatic potentialities of the new harmonic processes, and for
exploiting them so effectively. . . . By harnessing harmonic tension to
govern and regulate the unfolding of the Toccata’s form, he managed
to invest that unfolding-to-completion with an unprecedented psycho-
logical import. Thanks to this newly psychologized deployment of
harmonic functions—in which harmonic goals are at once identified
and postponed, and in which harmonic motion is at once directed and
delayed—“abstract” musical structures could achieve both vaster
dimensions and a vastly more compelling emotional force than any
previously envisioned. ~Richard Taruskin, on Bach's BMV 540, cited
in Karol Berger, *Bach's Cycle, Mozart's Arrow*, p. 11.

[adkinspianoservice]

I so envy the production! Beautifully captured! A personal favorite of mine. It's so sweetly conveyed.... Bach's music transcends on so many levels....

[dancampolieta]

This is my first organ recording actually. I'm thinking of making a series of Bach videos though! I have an album of chamber music compositions if you are interested in something different, you can google my name and the CD Guided Imagery

[tigerguy]

The pipe organ is by far the most beautiful most magnificent instrument in existence. It’s size, it’s sound is breathtaking

[tmcarter]

Well Done.. This is absolutely the goto reference to open up this instrument and really see the dynamics of a organ; of course the instrumentalist has to be on their game for this piece; which you absolutely are!