Biggs - Pipe Organ - Bach - Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582

this is the full uncut version

Johann Sebastian Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor (BWV 582) performed by the concert organist E. Power Biggs playing the 1958 Flentrop tracker in the Busch-Reisinger Museum at Harvard University.

• Category

  Music

[Tristan MacAvery]

When a kid next door had his boom-box a little too loud (and playing something that -- forgive my prejudice -- I couldn't begin to think of as "music"), I decided to imitate being in the cathedral. A good amplifier, excellent speakers, and a lossless recording of this work, with my windows open. A few people walking by stopped to gawk. On college-looking fellow paused and began to conduct. When it was done, the boom-box was silent, and those on the walk outside applauded. JSB FTW. ^_^

[geminian7846]

In my formative years (many decades ago now) people "in the know" tended to be quite dismissive of E. Power Biggs, which rather conditioned my thinking about him, even though I could never see anything wrong with his playing myself. I see now I was wrong to listen to them. This is a serious and flawlessly executed performance on a truly fine instrument. Five stars, and thanks very much.

[BigOrganPipes]

Virgil Fox was a flashy flamboyant organist. Sort of like Cameron (not as good IMO) who would "spice up" classical organ works and was very popular like Cameron. and like Cameron, there was a small circle of trolls who hated him because he was introducing lots of improv to classical pieces. mostly they were/are hated because they are gay, outspoken but most importantly they are envious of the talent and crowds/attention that they draw. Cameron gives them all the finger in his own way

[altareggo]

Don't know about this "Fox" fellow, but many looked down upon Biggs because he often played "popular" music, in the "Boston Pops" type of way.. for example when he recorded Scott Joplin on the harpsichord, lo!!. He was an excellent entertainer, which offended some musical snobs.

[BigOrganPipes]

are you thinking of Fox? i always thought Biggs was considered the "reference standard" and played it straight off the sheet like a metronome

[altareggo]

Some music snobs disliked the fact that Mr. Biggs actually went out of his way to - GASP - entertain people!!!! Not just the upper crust elite, but also the - OMG!!! - unwashed Hoi Paloi masses. However, he has most certainly stood the test of time, and come out on top smelling like a dozen freshly cut roses. He introduced a LOT people to musical genres that they may otherwise have spent most of their lives miissing out on, and also left a substantial body of VERY fine recordings - like this one

[wil son]

I love how this organ sounds. I don't know anything about organs, why does this one sound much less.. sharp and overpowering, but more organic and nocturnal. The title says "pipe organ", but I've read other titles that read the same and have a different sound to the organ than this. anyway i love this piece it is one of my favorite thanks for posting this recording.

[djpalindrome]

I know whereof you speak; I head a lot of criticism about his "almost arbitrary phrasing", and I just assumed that more sophisticated people must know better than me. I just treasured recording such as this as my own personal treasures. This has to be one of the most sublime recordings of one of the most hauntingly beautiful, complex works ever devised by the human mind.

[PointyTailofSatan]

OMG did Harvard ever score with the Flentrop. It's unbelievable.

[fleebness]

Hauptwerk claims to make high quality samples of each individual pipe for attack, sustain, and release. Unsure about the bellows and other characteristics, though. The software isn't cheap, and appears to take several concerns into account. My thanks go to CommonAtheist for at least pointing it out. I suspect this software is as near to live as one might get from such software.

[iraeich]

Biggs St. Anne is the best.

[Echelon5920]

You make me smile. Dude.