Carlo Curley: J.S. Bach: Have Mercy On Me, O Lord God, BWV 721 (Improved-Sound Version)

[09WestTexas]

When I met him in the 70s he played it even slower..too fast and the chord changes are missed. It's a piece that allows a very slow tempo, and Carlo has varied it over the years. As always, the ultimate master at the keyboard.

[tzenka]

Less talking, more listening - the man is playing beautifully!

[PreacherinExile]

beaaautiful!

[DainGerrUsss]

Firstly, it is probable that this was not written by J. S. Bach. More likely, it was written by a student of his, maybe Krebs, or possibly some other composer of the era. No matter who wrote it, certainly the tempo should not be so slow that the listener loses sense of the harmonic rhythm, as in this performance. Also, Bach wouldn't have changed the registration. The right hand would be a solo stop or a cornet and the left hand some 8 & 4 foot combination with 16 & 8 in pedals - unchanged.

[marcellny]

ah... this tempo is magnificent! why do people think baroque organ should be played fast as if it's keys were made of cat-gut just like violin strings? this is sublime.... and i want it in my funeral too! Bravo Carlo!!!!!

[marcellny]

ah... this tempo is magnificent! why do people think baroque organ should be played fast as if it's keys were made of cat-gut just like violin strings? this is sublime.... and i want it in my funeral too! 

[Egestus18]

for me this is the perfect tempo... :-D

[csheff1014]

Alas, someone else who agrees with me

[Egestus18]

this was played at the funeral of my grandfather 6 weeks ago (nearly same tempo) and everytime i hear it, it reminds me of him. i have a koopman and a walcha and a fagius recording of this but they run through it like hell :-D

[csheff1014]

"run through it like hell..." Well spoken! I hear too many recordings that do that with this piece.

[trenoespresso]

I agree, the tempo is perfect! The stops, not... but it's a Curley interpretation. This could not be a fast prelude, in my opinion.

[bourdon32]

This is not correct tempo..indeed too slow.

[Dqiqd69]

How fast do you play it then Mr Bourdon?

[marcellny]

@bourdon32

correctness is for students.... not for artists. Bravo Carlo....

[bourdon32]

@marcellny

And so I have now recently played this Ebarme dich at this overtranquil tempo...it was different, good, but for some reason it evokes exactly what a funeral dirge is and has not the gravitas such as Bach's Komm Susser Tod; played alla Virgil Fox (now that's an artist!), which I enjoy playing very much.

But, I agree, learning the correct way is proper tutorial. Mind you, as in my taste of Virgil Fox, I am no purist and love artistic interpretation! We all have our tastes then.

[nachthorn4foot]

@bourdon32 I think Bach wrote his pices for everyones inturpitation.

I think he would wounder, If Bach were around today, and heard this pice the

way Mr. Curly played it or even Virgil Fox. What sort of trip would they be on

What whith the organsof today.

[Dqiqd69]

It is supposed to be slow

[shariotoflove]

not this slow.

[csheff1014]

finally someone who agrees with me

[smitschagen]

I like the sound but it is a little too slow for my taste