J. S. Bach - Fugue for organ in G Major BWV 577

Ton Koopman, Organ

For a transcription by Swingle Singers see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9AkQPTPvFs

Organ Fugue-Koopman playlist: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=63E24E1C747AF79A

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Fugue
• for
• organ
• Minor
• BWV
• 577
• Bach
• Organo
• Fuga
• Ton
• Koopman
• swingle
• singers

[robertgift]

@gr0mithtimon I assume the Peter's Edition takes the ornaments from Bach's manuscript.

Ton's performance here is disappointingly slow and without care.

His grace notes before the pedal comes in are nice, (am I the only other playing them?) buthen he does not play them again - meaning no consistency.(that I recall - I don't wanto listen again to this mediocre performance.)

The unexpected surprises of "strange-sounding" ornamentation are fun, but he leaves out so many nice ones.

Too difficult?

[gr0mithtimon]

@robertgift

The ornaments in that edition are of no special significance unless they where taken from the original manuscript. Bach often omits ornaments, modern edditors add it as an aid to students. Obviously, you will find ornamentation different from the edition you have memorized strange-sounding, but that is no argument. Koopman is a prominent expert in the performance of Bach on organ, and he does what was expected from any organist in the Baroque-era; he ornaments.

[robertgift]

@gr0mithtimon "Is the ornamentation in the manuscript?" Yes. In the Peter's Edition, from which I memorized 577, their fugue subject includes a mordent, grace notes and trill at it's conclusion. These are a wonderful part of the subject and I continue them throughouthe work.

Disappointing when this joyous fugue begins withem and later they are omitted. The inconsistency of "Now you hear them- now you don't." is not important. They are a refreshing part of the subject which you later miss.

[gr0mithtimon]

@robertgift

"What pleases me is good and right, and that which pleases me not is deficient" thought the small man.

[gr0mithtimon]

@robertgift

Is the ornamentation in the manuscript? As you surely know, Baroque organists added their own ornamentation (often on the fly).

[NimbleTurtle13]

I actually expected Koopman to play this very quickly. Very disappointed, like most of his interpretations will leave you feeling. Listen to Kay Johanssen's playing and you will see the difference between someone who is aware and someone who is not.

[paranormaalutrecht]

nowadays he plays it a lot of faster???

[robertgift]

@MrJacksonberry It IS about pleasing the ear. "Notes unconnected do not a musical line make". If notes are disconnected, separated, lines broken - that technique IS deficient.

Perhaps Koopman is purposely playing in an authentic, obsolete, inferior manner. I have played modern "baroque" organs with authentic unsteady wind. Horrible.

Also played a period piano. Horrible sound. So glad it evolved to the beautiful instruments we have today. Beethoven would have been much pleased.

[MrJacksonberry]

@robertgift It is more about playing in an authentic manner (on close to authentic organs) rather than simply pleasing the ear; Koopman tries to play the piece how Bach intended it to be played. The piece can still be enjoyed this way, but I also feel sometimes that modern technique sounds better, and is actually easier than, playing in a baroque style. I wouldn't call the technique defective, but I would not criticize Koopman's choice of playing style. It is more prevalent than you think.

[robertgift]

Hey, just noticed that Koopman plays a mordent at 2:33 and 2:49, grace notes at 2:50! (Thought only I performed those! Good for Koopman!)

But earlier he does not do the ornament at :56. No mordent in the pedal at 1:11. Nor at 1:36

No pedal mordent at 3:28. Such inconsistancy.