Diane Bish - Triple Fugue

[psyie666]

Diane Bish is one of the greatest musicians of modern time, If not the best in my opinion. She brings the simple sounds to life and reminds us we dont need electricity to make lovely music. just Diane Bish and a organ for her to dance on

[GlitchHalo]

Her clothing is awesome hahahaha GREAT organist!!!

[john1801rambo]

I'm quite impressed with her playing..

[findmewerethereisHtw]

This stinks

[nickoicool]

The beginning theme sounds like O God our help.

[claviergoren]

I agree. Diane Bish is an acclaimed

musician of the first rank. Her ability

rivals any concert organist of note today.

Thanks Diane for your generous contri-

bution to our musical education.

[eameece]

The three parts are said to symbolize the trinity: Father, Son and Spirit, and the music reflects this. The title of the hymn reflects the symbolism of the first part. This work is also the prelude and postlude to a long, great series of chorale preludes based on the Lutheran catechism, and are also known as the "keyboard practice part 3" published by Bach himself for the benefit of those interested in such things.

[eameece]

In case anyone doesn't know, this fugue is part of the Prelude and Fugue in E Flat, S.552. It is called triple because it has 3 parts, but the first fugue returns during the others too. It is also called the "St. Anne" because the melody line of the first fugue is the same as a British hymn called "St. Anne" and also called "Oh God Our Help in Ages Past."

[MEPPO06]

Baroque music has two sorts of accents: grammatical accents based on a hierachy of notes (stresses on the strong beats), and internal shaping based on the character of the individual figures. Both are largely lacking here. The equal notes in Fugue 3 destroy any sense of a hierachy of notes. Fugue 2 may not need phrasing like Chopin, but but the lack of any breathing marks destroys much sense of interplay between the parts of the counterpoint; similarly she plays through all the hemiolas.

[sailing19100]

@MEPPO06  Looking forward to your upload, so we can hear you play it.

[MEPPO06]

I've played this organ in Colmar, but she plays it just like it's a big electronic monster back home in the States - all funny offbeat accents, smoochy smooth pedal line with loads of heels, and above all the extraorinary sequined frock in an organ loft where the player is entirely invisible. There's no polite way of saying this, but it's all - well - a bit gauche.

[GazTheMusicMan]

Where were the funny offbeat accents, then? And, of course, she's dressed up because she's being filmed.

[MEPPO06]

The most obvious example is the subject of the third fugue, with each of the first three notes played with equal weight and more-or-less equally snappy staccato. It completely de-characterises the line. Other oddities include the gluey legato in the first fugue (look at all those finger changes), almost total absence of phrasing in the second, huges  ralls at the end of each section which destroy any sense of tempe relationship between each, a weakly placed final cadence, etc. etc.

[GazTheMusicMan]

Do you have any evidence that Bach would have not given each of the quavers equal weight? How does it de-characterize the line? Do you think "phrasing" appropriate to this music? And how was the final cadence weakly placed? I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy this performance. I did! :)

[pipeup1]

while the phrasing in the fugue 2 is not as developed as it could of been, its not absent - it can be clearly heard around 6.00, fugue 1's style might have been more precise, but to say that the tempo was destroyed is a bit harsh. It is a commendable interpretation. She's no Richter though I grant you that!!

[Galliantina]

I'm actually the Organist of Kotka Church, which has an authentic Silbermann instrument,, so I comprehend fully the principles and properties of this type of instrument. I must admit that you are right about this organ. However, perhaps it is the recording that makes the illusion, but this video instantly resembled me of a North-German organ, Verschueren ( even earlier than Silbermann), which I have played several times.

[theblackhand2]

Great Performance. I do like the warmth and smoothness of this organ's sound.

[KappaSigDAW]

This woman is just amazing. Thanks to the person who decided to share her talent with the rest of us who cant get her on our cable system. Stellar!

[kgs202]

I really liked this when seen on Diane's 25th anniversary video called Encore..she is talented in her performance of Bach pieces..smoothness characterizes her playing..the organ has such a rich baroque sound.

[straypixel]

I disagree - I don't think that organ could be made to sound 'less Baroque'. The beautiful flutes and sweet 2' stops are washed over by stops of a more Romantic sound.

[Galliantina]

But that organ has most authentic North-German organ sound...........

[straypixel]

I suggest you listen to more recordings of Silbermann organs. This is a French Romantic style instrument, which is about the closest European equivalent to the American Symphonic style, very different to English Cathederal and a million miles away from Baroque German instruments temperamentally.

[Galliantina]

I'm actually the Organist of Kotka Church, which has an authentic Silbermann instrument,, so I comprehend fully the principles and properties of this type of instrument. I must admit that you are right about this organ. However, perhaps it is the recording that makes the illusion, but this video instantly resembled me of a North-German organ, Verschueren ( even earlier than Silbermann), which I have played several times.

[straypixel]

In that case, I concede to your greater experience.

[1401JSC]

1979 a completely new organ is installed in the ancient case.

Its ethic is neoclassical and its stop names a mixture of French and German!

There is no swell box and the opresence of a Gambe 8' on the Great does not signify "romantic".

Bach specifcally asked for one in a rebuild.

[1401JSC]

Ethic "inspired by Arp Schnitger" according to the organbuilder.

[princedariensnr]

Awesome performance and great video.

Unfortunately, the audio is very low so it's hard to hear this awesome performance.