Markus Wargh - J.S.Bach: Passacaglia and Fugue c minor BWV 582

Markus Wargh (b. 1969, Jakobstad, Finland) is a renowned concert organist with Bach, the great romantic works and the improvisation close to his heart. He graduated with diploma from the Sibelius Academy in 1991 – being the third in the history of the academy to achieve the highest possible grades. The following years he continued his studies at the Academy of Music in Piteå, Sweden, where he graduated as concert organist in 1995.
The artistry of Markus Wargh relies on a great ability of expression, energy and virtuosity – as well when he improvises as when he interprets Bach and the masters of the Romantic Age. He continuously searches for new, thrilling musical expressions, preferably by cooperation with other musicians such as the saxophonist Carl Henrik Fernandi and electric guitarist Janne Schaffer.
Markus Wargh has concerted across Europe and the United States of America, and he has made numerous appearances in both radio and television. At the organ festival Lahti Organ 1992, he was awarded Young Artist of the Year.
Except for being an international solo organist, Markus Wargh is organist in Luleå Cathedral.
Markus Wargh is a highly gifted organist. He has a great will to express through music and a highly sophisticated technique.
Hans-Ola Ericsson, professor at the Academy of Music in Piteå and member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.
Markus Wargh has done groundbreaking work in Finland by his performance of more rare romantic works.
Kalevi Kiviniemi, international solo organist and Artistic Director of the Lahti Organ Festival for 1991-2001

Markus Wargh (född 1969, Jakobstad, Finland) är en omtalad konsertorganist med Bach, de stora romantiska verken och improvisationen nära sitt hjärta. Han tog examen med diplom från Sibeliusakademien 1991 – som den tredje i akademiens historia med högsta möjliga betyg. De följande åren fortsatte han studierna vid Musikhögskolan i Piteå och avlade examen som konsertorganist 1995.
Markus Warghs konstnärskap bygger på en stor inlevelseförmåga, energi och virtuositet – såväl när han improviserar som när han tolkar Bach och romantikens mästare. Han söker ständigt efter nya, spännande musikaliska uttryck, gärna genom samarbeten med andra musiker som till exempel saxofonisten Carl Henrik Fernandi och elgitarristen Janne Schaffer.
Markus Wargh har gett konserter över hela Europa och i USA samt har gjort ett stort antal framträdanden i både radio och TV. På orgelfestivalen Lahti Organ 1992, fick han utmärkelsen Årets unga artist.
Förutom att vara en internationell soloorganist, är Markus Wargh domkyrkoorganist i Luleå domkyrka.
Markus Wargh är en högbegåvad organist. Han har en stor vilja till uttryck och en ytterst driven teknik.
Hans-Ola Ericsson, professor på Musikhögskolan i Piteå och medlem i Royal Swedish Academy of Music
Markus Wargh har gjort ett banbrytande arbete i Finland genom framförande av mera sällsynta romantiska verk.
Kalevi Kiviniemi, internationell soloorganist and konstnärlig ledare av Lahti Organ Festival 1991-2001

The recording is made by Jan Lampa.
Gear: Metric Halo ULN-8, Gefell M221 and Neumann KM130.
Daw: MacBook Pro, Cubase 8.5.

[robertlindberg]

Jag hade förmånen att ha Markus som min lärare under mina år på Musikhögskolan i Piteå, vilka underbara år!😊 Jag skulle gärna göra om det om jag hade möjlighet. Markus var alltid lika full av energi i sitt musicerande, även då vi hade lektion kl 7 på morgonen, det fullkomligt kokade av musik, hela orgelpallen vibrerade av hans energi!😂 En Guds gåva har han fått, till glädje för oss, i denna annars så oroliga tid❤

[aston]

Christ that performance moved me beyond organ became an earthquake towards the finale of the fugue, , what an awesome performance, , , ,

[MarcelMangnus]

Unbelievable performance, all by heart! Highly expressive and dynamic,  beautiful registrations. Just splendid.

[alfonsomalvone]

I am a great lover of classical music, I have listened to Bach for 20 years and I know all the greatest artists for their skill but you are an exception among my favourites, your performance is perfect and simply divine, you are an exceptional great master, congratulations more sincere

[garnierfrancis]

Monsieur Wargh, vos interprétations des oeuvres pour orgue de JS BACH, sont du plus haut niveau de qualité, de virtuosité et d'expressivité que l'on puisse concevoir, égalant celles de Mme Marie-Claire ALAIN ou de Mr Olivier LATRY; je suis sûr que le compositeur lui même aurait été enchanté de vous entendre les jouer ainsi ; votre aisance au pédalier est incroyable (même constat pour votre interprétation de la Toccata en F. Majeur BWV 540). C'est d'une beauté à pleurer de bonheur . Merci infiniment pour ces prestations.

[peteacher]

Superb performance - one of the best on Youtube.

[matintaraz]

I came.... I listened... and I dude is good!....Very good!

[pretol]

After listening about 50 interpretations, I have to say, this one is among the best. I would say, tehnicaly the best. Variety of registers used are astounding.

[jclou]

Che bella interpretazione... Bravo Maestro

[PB-cbht]

Love the camera shaking when the bass hits

[jerryj]

Wow - I've heard dozens of recordings of this masterwork [it is my favourite piece of music] and this is as good as any, perhaps the best.
The superb sound quality also helps!
Wonderful.

[terryfarroworgan]

The registration changes bring out the textures of the piece, give the ear a rest from the same registration, and allow for a gradual build to a climatic ending, all to good effect. Nicely done. I understood more about the possibilities of this piece after listening to Respighi's orchestral transcription (Leonard Slatkin, BBC Philharmonic) which colors the piece in a similar way as here with his beautiful instrumentation of the work.

[stevenschrier]

Wonderful interpretation and quality performance. The organ design appears especially good providing great control and flexibility. Perhaps in Bach's Thomaskirche he had console assistants to change the registration during a performance. This organ design is an improvement and one musician can control the organ registration quickly and easily. The photography of the performance is really good. The camera position clearly shows the performance technique without distractions. Great musicianship! Thank you for sharing your artistry.

[GabrielNastrot]

What a nice performance been my favorite for years, never take it down there is no one like it

[alfonsomalvone]

Brother you are the number one of my playlist you performance is great, pracise,beautiful, for the organ you chose God bless you

[spiritussanctusband]

Who is the one that dislike it? This is one of the best versions I've ever listened to.

[chuntong]

True master. I hear his Bach playing 540 daily (as I am learning it now)

[FatherKeeg]

What a magnificent whirlwind of Musical Composition and performance! I've never seen this piece played with such skill and beauty! Bach might have written it, , , but I suspect he would be just a bit jealous in that you might play it better than he did!! ;-)

[samipirttilahti]

Very colorful and lively playing. Totally brilliant and enjoyable, wow!

[Bach]

A very 'clean' and energetic performance. Most enjoyable!