Havinga on Bach Sonata no. 3 in D minor BWV 527 | Netherlands Bach Society

"The trio sonatas are difficult to play; partly because there's a very active pedal part which is equal to the two manual parts." Organist Matthias Havinga talks about Sonata no. 3 in D minor, which he performed for All of Bach.

Matthias Havinga, organist
Organ: Christian Müller, 1738

[altruisticphilanthropic]

Matthias Havinga, offers some great insights here into the writing of the Greatest Master - Bach, and the many challenges to the player. Havinga's final statement (delivered with a Bachian-humbled-smile), "you want to be tested on the extent of your abilities...and Bach was very good at that." Yes, he was...he's the king of it, and anyone who has approached performing Bach's music, knows this...profoundly...and repeatedly. I'm positive that he thoroughly loved those challenges himself. // NBS - Never cease...ever.

[prager]

It seems to me from his explanation on the nature of playing a complex organ piece by Bach is that, in away, a competent player acts as there are four persons in one body...two legs, two hands who could play different melodies, yet by mastering the science of counterpoint, all sounds harmonious, beautiful and uplifting...

[phwbooth]

Illuminating comments by a practioner, sir. Thanks. (Nice to hear the clanking of the tracker action - for a little while, at least).

[gijsschubert]

Goede en leuke uitleg door Matthias Havinga. Die laatste zin met dat lachje:
“Als mens wil je natuurlijk getest worden “Wat kan je nou eigenlijk”, en daar was Bach héél goed in 😊”

[RobertArbroath]

I love the clanging noise of the keys! I guess it must be somewhat distracting for the performer

[ilyaibrahimovic]

Maybe the educational value of the piece is how weak you are as an organist.

Jokes aside, this commentary was superb. I enjoyed so much this organist's insights.