Daniel Moult and Martin Schmeding explore musical expression in performing the organ works of J. S. Bach in seven video documentaries (of about 3-1/2 hours duration on DVD 1), with examples filmed at the keyboards of four organs in central Germany and which were built by organbuilders whose organs were known to Bach:  Gottfried Silbermann, Zacharias Hildebrandt, and Tobias Heinrich Gottfried Trost. The superb videography provides a virtual tour of these famous organs and the churches which house them in Rötha, Sangerhausen, and Waltershausen.  The contrasting tonal concepts of the brilliant Silbermann choruses compared to the almost "orchestral" nature of the Trost organs sparks an enlightening investigation of registration and changes of registration as a means of expression depending upon the organ at-hand. Matters of articulation, rhythm, performance practices of various periods, and more find greatly informed presentations by Schmeding and Moult. The documentaries visit Leipzig (Thomaskirche, Bach Archive, and a few other sites) and the famous Hildebrandt organ at Wenzelskirche in Naumburg (the only extant organ known to have been tested and played by Bach).  A 28-page booklet includes color pictures of the organs and stoplists.  DVD 2 contains filmed performances of 25 major Bach works as well as further demonstrations of the four organs.  The 2 CDs in the set also contain the 25 works.  The sound is splendid. (Please note: This 2-DVD and 2-CD set is the first of three releases in a Bach series from Fugue State Films)

Canonic Variations on Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her, BWV 569 * ‡