Bach: Organ Cornucopia

Continuing the complete survey of the organ music of J S Bach, this 'horn of plenty' contains a host of shorter pieces, some of which are incomplete and some whose attribution to Bach is in question. However, questions of authorship have been laid aside for the moment and we ask you simply to enjoy a succession of little gems which provide pleasure for listener and performer alike.

When the autographs of so many of Bach's completed organ works have disappeared it is worthy of some comment that, with the exception of the Pedal-Exercitium, BWV598, all of the fragmentary works on this disc have survived in the composer's hand. As they are all of superb quality it is interesting to speculate on what deterred Bach from continuing them. Whereas the Fantasia in C, BWV573, reaches a definite cadence, the Fugue in C minor, BWV562, and the two chorales break off in mid-sentence. Perhaps they were composition exercises for continuation by one of his pupils. Although various Bach stylists have produced completions of the fragments, Christopher Herrick prefers to present them 'torso-like', leaving them dangling tantalisingly in the air.

All of the music on this album is also available as part of the specially priced box set Bach: The Complete Organ Works: ‘Let me say without hesitation that Herrick’s performances are models of clarity, accuracy, precision and musicality … this is a complete Bach that has plenty of character and verve and which would bear repeated listening’ (Choir & Organ).

CDA67139  73 minutes 31 seconds
‘This boldly presented recital … holds the listener from beginning to end’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)
‘Herrick's technical mastery is stunningly apparent’ (Contemporary Review)