Golden Label Nomination - Strange, isn't it, that Georg Friedrich Händel's organ concertos, which he wrote among other things as interludes during set changes and such during performances of his operas, are so well-known, while those of his contemporary Johann Sebastian Bach are less so. A limited point of attention because Bach has written so much?
A joyful feeling, the spring cheerfulness and relaxing calm, that's immediately what grabbed me and didn't let go, when listening to the cd 'Concertos for Organ and Strings' (without Dutch language text – again not! – in the info booklet) by the Baroque ensemble Les Muffatti with Bart Jacobs on the organ. Four concertos and three short sinfonias can be heard.
The recording technique is very finely worked out and you still hear some natural reverberation, a plus point. Too often one filters out reverberation and everything else, which gives you an exaggerated purity that no longer has anything natural about it. Here we fortunately get a normal effect. Not unimportant!
Bart Jacobs and Les Muffatti adhere to an honest, faithful performance, no exaggerated rumbling, no hurrying, no idiosyncrasies to prove themselves, the musicians go for what matters, the soul of the music, respect for the composer, the values that Bach imparted to the music.
The seasoned musicians let themselves go in a wonderful Bach that reveals here that other 'self' than that of his passions. It is also not the Bach of the great organ works that strive straight toward the Almighty, it is a Bach who brings absolute beauty among people in musical lines and chords that make you glad. An anti-stress remedy for this time? And how!
Do I need to tell you more why this recording is so excellent? I think it's better that you just go ahead and listen immediately. That way you also have some freedom to agree with me or point the finger at me for being wrong. One thing I'm certain of: you will melt with pleasure when listening to this silver disc, a fresh pearl that you must not miss.
- WHAT: Concertos for Organ and Strings by Johann Sebastian Bach
- WHO: Les Muffatti and organist Bart Jacobs
- RELEASE: Ramee / Outhere – RAM 1804
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExinsKXmSfc[/embed]
