Buxtehude -- "Jig Fugue" -- played by Matthew McConnell

[AgnesFalk]

Why play like such a bore? I'm sure Buxtehude wrote this piece knowing baroque musicians would articulate.

[Kingers41]

Excellent clean playing at this tempo. I really enjoyed this version. You bring out the wonderful fun element in this great piece really well. I've always preferred this to Bach's gigue fugue, possibly because I heard Buxtehude first. Anyway, thanks for a truly uplifting performance.

[PerrrfictKats]

Excellent playing! But would have gotten a good thrill seeing you PLAY it, especially the pedals. Maybe next time?

[skchin]

Sounded like a good practice.

[robertgift]

Great tempo!

Why not show you rather than nothing?

One can discern how Bach's gigue fugue, also in G major, was inspired by this.

Was the temperament of the time advantageous for a gigue in G major?

What kind of organ?

Thank you for your recording.

[organbaroque]

The popular temperament of the time was mean-tone: the fifths were smaller (and out of tune), and as many thirds as possible were made pure. Pieces like the Jig Fugue are well suited for this temperament, but others (like those in F# minor) sound horridly dissonant.

[organbaroque]

In 1683, Buxtehude did have his organs tuned to Werkmeisters new temperament. This temperament made eight (of the twelve) fifths pure. The thirds are out of tune, but the temperament allows for better transposition between keys. Pieces in all keys (F# minor, as well as G major, the key of the Jig Fugue) are acceptable. Of course, one can always argue that certain works were composed to capitalize on the effect of dissonance a certain temperament would provide.

[organbaroque]

The organ Im playing was built by Dick Pelland. Im still learning the particulars of its making.

Since this was just a rehearsal, and I didnt have an extension to make the camera reach the organ, I used a wall outlet near the pipes. Ill remedy this for future videos. Thank you for your comments!!

[ObscureAuteur]

@robertgift Except that the BWV 577 Fugue "a la gigue" is not regarded as an authentic work of J.S. Bach despite its listing in the BWV catalog. It is considered 'spurious" along with a few other listed works. Too bad, because I really like it. Apparently someone was probably influenced by this piece.