Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Prélude et Fugue en sol majeur, BWV 541
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 709
Trio Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 655
Prélude et Fugue en mi mineur, BWV 548
Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 682
Jesus Christus Unser Heiland, BWV 666
Fantaisie en do mineur, BWV 1121 (Anh. 205)
Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BWV 684
Prélude et Fugue en do mineur, BWV 546
Kleines Harmonisches Labyrinth, BWV 591
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV 604
Prélude et Fugue en do majeur, BWV 545

Manuel Tomadin, orgue

Christoph Treutmann, 1737, Grauhof, Allemagne

For this uniquely compiled new recording of Bach’s organ works, the Italian organist Manuel Tomadin devised a concept of organising music by the four seasons. There are 12 pieces on the album, opening with the vaulting arpeggios of the G major Prelude BWV541. To each season is given its own prelude and fugue – all of them masterpieces from Bach’s Leipzig period – as well as a pair of shorter works. These include superb chorale preludes such as Christ unser Herr, zum Jordan kam BWV564 but also much lesser-known music such as the C minor Fantasia BW1121: a youthful piece of reverent serenity, and the Kleines Harmonisches Labyrinth BWV591. The authorship of this tripartite work has often been questioned – it came to light as part of the Neumeister Chorales within the last century – but the daring sequences at its close are highly redolent of the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue that is one of Bach’s undisputed masterpieces. On this recording Manuel Tomadin plays the Christoph Treutmann organ of 1737 in the former Collegiate Church of St. George, Grauhof, Germany. The booklet includes photos and specification of the organ as well as Tomadin’s own authoritative introduction to the music on the album. His extensive discography on Brilliant Classics has met with wide critical praise.