BWV 544 - Prelude & Fugue in B Minor (Scrolling)

Performer & Album Info - 11:32
1. Prelude- 0:17
2. Fugue - 6:07

[@davidhancock8861]

BWV 544 is the work that set me on the road to Bach thirty five years ago. I still cannot understand how a mortal brain can conceive and execute something so utterly brilliant. It sounds like the creation of a god. And it is just one of innumerable examples that prove Bach's oeuvre represents the pinnacle of all human achievement.

[@richardpl4426]

How exactly you described my feelings. I liked different musicians, but these passions pass over time. And only Bach not only does not stop pleasing, but also seems to impress more and more with time. How one person could create so many such profound and impressive things in just one lifetime is beyond me. And I can say in all seriousness that this genius serves for me as one of the proofs of the existence of God.

[@davidhancock8861]

@@richardpl4426 Well I'm not religious but I do wonder sometimes about Bach's original source material! It's almost impossible to believe someone can be that fantastic at what they do for a living. Though I do love other composers, I can fathom their genius but with Bach this is not possible. No matter how well I know his works, they are still a mystery. His mastery of harmony and compositional technique are so total that even the least work of his dwarfs the greatest achievements of other musicians. For this reason it is possible to love Bach's music to the exclusion of all else - when you're used to the best, nothing else does it!

[@ttwiligh7]

It always amazes me how masterly constructed this prelude is. Bach often places a note where it seems quite dangerous like a cliffhanger, but it holds enormous weight, more powerful than in any other music. Cascade like passages, the bass that irresistibly pushes everything forward, chords that strike from the above, and the moment all those things dash into the mysterious logic to return to the storming chorus, kill me every time. It reminds me of moving waves of big ocean. I have no idea how this man became to understand the hidden rules of the world.

[@adonisadmirer2752]

@Paras finn I think we are unfairly neglecting to mention the most important thing, without which even the talented are doomed to mediocrity. Bach would spend long hours copying manuscripts of the composers of yore. This is what made him truly familiar with music, a master of the forms that existed in that time, and also gave him a varied musical language.

[@klop4228]

@@adonisadmirer2752 Basically, he knew the masters and took his knowledge to fuel his own mastery. Learn from the masters, people!

[@adonisadmirer2752]

@@klop4228 Quite astutely put. That is the secret to greatness.

[@ttwiligh7]

@Jo T I feel sorry that you don't recognize the miracle beauty created by math and emotions combined. Bach is the one who integrated those elements like nobody did. I have a couple of suggestions for you if you don't get it. Listen to chaconne, you will see a full spectrum of emotions within the solid construction of notes more easily. Then Passacaglia and fugue in c minor, probably the most calculated and profound organ work in the entire history of music. It vibrates with strong emotions that makes you cry. If you don't still get it, that's fine. All I can say is everybody is different. Like my girlfriend, she never really appreciate Bach.....lol. You don't have to be the same. I love this piece anyway.

[@orb3796]

@Jo T Doesn't suprise me that you like your own comments

[@danielemercuri6982]

Un pezzo fuori di testa.. grandissimo immenso Bach

[@marcocampus7943]

Il preludio è una roba senza senso. A parte la difficoltà.. ma ad un certo punto sbuca il secondo tema al contrario e mi è preso un colpo. Questo è uno dei pochissimi casi in cui la fuga sembra quasi superflua; il preludio si regge perfettamente da solo.

[@Shyguy71588]

Why is it hundreds of years later and no composer can even come close to him? All his methods and techniques just aren't understood by us. Music theory or studies get you no where. The most one can do is diligently absorb his music and poorly imitate him. Praise Jesus for Johann Sebastian Bach's unparalleled mastery.

[@smb123211]

One of the greatest performances I ever heard of this work (in DC of all places) had a great "trick". Just as the Prelude is approaching the highlight (about 4:52) he effectively "doubled" the sound (I think by coupling). Astounding!

[@organlover7893]

Amazing!! Organ works created in Leipzig are art of excellence.

[@conan2717]

"A real passion-music"

[@PMS1950]

Beautifully played, perfect speed and excellent registration. I would have enjoyed it even more if the final few pedal bars were registered with the addition of the 16ft pedal reed (if part of the specification). This, I think, adds more excitement as the fugue reaches its spine tingling climax! Perhaps I missed it?

[@stuartparsons4948]

The very fugue that first got me hooked on Bach over 25 years ago! (I'm not so keen on the registrations in this performance, though)

[@schrysafis]

Don't like the fugue in this video?

[@schrysafis]

What's your favorite version? I'm looking for a version with the best registration choices...

[@user-ru8vy1uz7c]

Bravo bravo bravo bravo bravo grandiose genial fantastic music

[@IlnarSafin]

Божественно!!!

[@katrusinka]

❤ merci bien! Childhoodmemories! My dad, an organist, used to play it….🎉

[@vincenzolia6685]

Out of this world

[@choibroken6062]

This is masterpiece,,

[@freddoliveira]

Bravo! This fugue is very good!

[@Nooticus]

In my opinion, the most dissonant work by Bach I have heard so far! I kind of grimaced at some places but I think that is the point!

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Bach's melodies were strange-- but they work!

[@Deibler666]

I think you're referring to the fugue.

[@Deibler666]

@BVale B and Bb give similar colors. B is between dark purple and black and Bb is dark blue and dark gray. These are the colors I perceive personally. A different case is the electric blue from F#. But the whole part of the Prelude has gradations of yellow because of the instrument. Weak or deteriorated organs give pale orange and darker gradations. Anyway, Bach knew how to exploit to the maximum the characteristics of any instrument of his time.

[@timmiller1954]

@@Deibler666 Do you have synesthesia?

[@Deibler666]

@@timmiller1954 Only with music, and is a very mild one. I've heard of people having the clear vision of colors even with words.

[@StrammerBursche]

very nice

[@Leoptxr]

1:52 weeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@alvaromartin6289]

jajajjajajajajajaja !!! esa parte del preludio con su preludio a 2 voces xd

[@meluzyna55]

Excellent

[@marceloandrescerda1530]

BACH = MÚSICA

[@lorddarkrai5753]

Imagine this playing at NSM64DS final battle

[@user-wn3hq6bm9y]

普通に弾いているのが一番美しい。ただ、素晴らしい

[@sackwhacker]

0:45

[@late8641]

This my favorite organ piece ever composed, but that organ sound is just earrape, I apologize my language. Listen to the Netherlands Bach Society's version by Te Lindet, it's the best interpretation ever!

[@stuartparsons4948]

I agree; Te Lindet's is a wonderful performance!

[@temperament3660]

You call it earrape, I call it metal.

[@pobinr]

I checked her performance out. Quite harsh growly stops & a little fast. My fav is Andre isoir 544 is about 40 mins in here kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX3EpHR3oad-a68

[@rgtfomc]

I love it

[@paulfitzgerald1392]

Mystifying

[@randiey95]

1:05 4:55

[@phsc7]

I'd really like to know who was the person who disliked this, and... even more, why?

[@alain1959]

Easy : some people don't like Bach.

[@jackdavis6064]

Merely because he could. This is what our world has become. It is no longer necessary to be anything but the judge, then stand back and enjoy the chaos. It is not creative, in the end, ... it is just destructive.

[@missasinenomine]

@@jackdavis6064 I agree. Behind the screen of anonymity, people post the most inane & obscene comments.

[@user-kq6ef9pt8w]

Intress

[@hermanngottschewski8444]

Why is this recording a whole tone lower than that at kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX2baIyGrtx6a6s ? A different recording or only replayed with a different sample rate?

[@AML2000]

I suspect that gerubach likes to normalize the pieces he puts up to modern A=440, perhaps to stop all the ignorant people complaining about the piece being in the wrong key. I know, and I think you know, that baroque organs are often tuned up to one note higher than modern tuning, while baroque chamber pitch is around half a note lower.

[@jameshockin3805]

A very accurate tempo and note articulation, but...the buid up at the end is simply a missed climactic moment. Th elistener should be on the edge of their seat but no...all of a sudden, with no fanfare, the fugue ends with nairy a hair standing on end. Such simple solutions would be a definite reduction in tempo. Modern instruments make speed possible at the detriment of phrasing. Older organs did not have the instant key contact required for speed. Also the fact that this is a pure fugue with an intruduction of a new theme, the downward movement after the main theme has reached its highest keyboard note. It is like Bach was running out of ideas and a light bulb turned on telling him where to go from here! Also a great opportunity is lost with the LH on the last page by playing the descending 2nd theme with a Royal Festival Trumpet or Tuba. For the modern listener, they need the emphasis! Also steady tempo?...fine for 1700 but the listener needs a lot of help. Go ahead and introduce more registration changes. How about more soft flutes? ORCHESTRATE IT! HIT THE ATTENDEES BETWEEN THE HEARS SO THEY CANNOT MISTAKE THE PERFECT FUGUE. This should always be introduced, aka Hector Olivera. I am being a real fuss head! Just try adding these things and experiment. Otherwise what great technique!!! Thanks much!!!

[@zavilov]

Older organs had direct and instant contact. They are called trackers.

[@jameshockin3805]

@@zavilov I have no interest in trackers, other than historical. I admit I add a bit of romantic touch when performing this B-minor. People who attend enjoy a bit more nuance and sometimes direct rubato or piston changes to really bring out the descending figures in the fugue. It is fun! Especially using a festival trumpet on these magnificent descending lines. OK, I am guilty of not sticking with pure baroque, but when Bach composed this the Romantic period was already present. Either way, it is a fantastic pure fugue! Have a good day! JIM

[@snakely]

when is he releasing new stuff?????

[@snakely]

he's dead lol

[@leonpiorek3211]

Hi, g´d day, Jesus loves you guys.

[@IceKrabik]

jesus is dead

[@leonpiorek3211]

@@IceKrabik Hey, if you want proof that god exists and Jesus is alive just look what will happen regarding Trump and the 2020 election. It will be exposed that there was election fraud and Trump won.

[@IceKrabik]

@@leonpiorek3211 baka ka, omae?

[@jamesdaniels401]

​@@leonpiorek3211 Wow, didn't this comment age like fine milk...

[@1800-s]

.

[@carmensylva3879]

A good idea to present this masterpiece - what brothers me so much is the jerky movement of the scores.. A pity.