J.S. Bach - Prelude and Fugue in A minor "The Great", BWV 543 {Peter Hurford}

[@tahaouhabi3520]

That Pedal note is everything in this universe

[@Myname-cb9ru]

My music teacher claimed the greatest composer for all time was Bach. At the time I disregarded the statement, believing it but not having faith in it. But damn, he was right.

[@ClassicalMusicAndSoundtracks]

Together with Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

[@missasinenomine]

@@ClassicalMusicAndSoundtracks Handel wasn't bad either.

[@phartmann5213]

@@ClassicalMusicAndSoundtracks i can't stand Mozart, but Bach is a genius indeed.

[@hopesonmakokha5217]

The most badass opening in history. Bach has a sophisticated way of crafting a subject, it feels so complete and powerful and sparks a huge emotional power. This man's belief was driving him with such a passion.

[@robertmuller5807]

The fugue is ... the mother of all fugues

[@missasinenomine]

I wholehearedly agree!

[@hoon_sol]

*M O A F*

[@jamesrmcgalliard137]

This one and the fugue from Fantasia and Fugue in G minor may be my favorites.

[@אורי-ח5ד]

Fugue in d minor

[@hugoclarke3284]

Why

[@r0mmm]

Just the theme of the fugue is heavenly

[@panlomito]

It is the Fugue indeed, the Prelude is quite nice but it is the Fugue that is of celestial quality.

[@johnhenryholiday4964]

Bach was beyond genius, Who could rightly compose this.... the precision .... the clear theme which manifest itself in so many lights throughout the piece.... The brilliance of Bach is to me beyond description.... Listening to this piece is like the near world of heaven itself....

[@timtruett5184]

He did not have the internet to distract him and waste his time.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

It's not just his instrumental work. What is really amazing was also his absolute mastery of mixed orchestral/choral works like cantatas, his Passions, and of course, the Mass in B Minor. Plus some of the greatest works of all time for the cello and violin. And all of this living his life it small towns with populations about the same as a MLB baseball stadium.

[@luky46]

Since I have found out this great Prelude and Fugue on KZbin, I can’t stop listening every day at least one time a day. Thank you for posting.

[@missasinenomine]

Good to hear! I can only recommend to you Helmuth Walcha. BWV 543. Wonderful interpretation. And excellent recording as well.

[@tuttiflooti]

Are you still listening daily?

[@tuttiflooti]

@@missasinenomine I may be mistaken but wasn’t Halmut Walcha BWV 582? 543 is fugue in A minor

[@missasinenomine]

@@tuttiflooti Helmuth Walcha plays everything! Complete Bach works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5O7ZKuXmdSSjJY

[@adamcapoferri6903]

Once the pedal came in, I got goosebumps. I love it!

[@-dimitris]

It should be called "The pedal point prelude". It's monumental.

[@charlottewhyte9804]

love that held A goes for ages

[@MarcusB-qr1hk]

@@charlottewhyte9804 and then when the pedals take off in the prelude, oh my god! Amazing!

[@tobalwin]

Always make me tear up with its emotional message "It's all worth going through!".

[@ilarioslaviero4116]

Love the registration he chose for the pedalboard, finally we can fully appreciate this masterpiece.

[@FighterFred]

That fugue theme, wow. And the chromatic beginning of the prelude is haunting.

[@SirGawainDF]

At long last! I'm so glad to have found the rendition of the prelude with such a majestic thundering bass. And the tempo is correct, not too hasty, as is often the case with contemporary organists. Thank you very much for this upload!

[@kristenwedegis9450]

I LOVE this tempo! Everything I have heard while relearning the Prelude is too fast.

[@stevewallschlaeger1379]

Those are 32 notes in the arpeggios? It gets muddy when they don't clip along with correct rhythm I have much praise that you are re learning it and I can only speak musically when it comes to the organ. But i play piano. Agree totally with working it up at this speed because to get the alacrity part right even and tempo are important. Losing a bit on alacrity to me is a good way to feel the counterpoint and just push through it. Before you know it the. Notes become right with keeping up the practice. If notes were the most important then a person might stop there and be okay without the right rhythm at all ever. Hope you have fun with Old Bach as was his nickname Bach Reader by Mendel and his co writer name is escaping me now Arthur someone

[@WilliamB1026]

This is favorite Bach. Funny though, I think it is played a bit too fast. E Power Biggs is a bit slower. Still, it's spectacular.

[@tototota9817]

Superbe version.La fugue est une pure perveille.

[@barronhung8246]

4:16 fuga

[@donniedogz]

the marvelous Peter Hurford was in residence at my conservatory, CCM Cincinnati, in the late 1960s. Truly a delight to attend his recitals, so nice to come across this performance now. Thank you.

[@breakerboy365]

I think this tempo does the prelude great justice

[@missasinenomine]

Yes. Definitely.

[@leojteduach]

Ouaouu! Une magnifique version d'une absolue clarté qui fait monter les larmes aux yeux.

[@2211chrissie]

This is pure noradrénaline and serotonin !!! Thanks for the pedal solves all my problems in life ❤️❤️❤️

[@EarlLedden]

Love that change of key around 7:20! Just slips in so naturally. Start around 7:00.

[@missasinenomine]

7:20? Didn't notice.

[@noiselesspatient]

What a glorious, noble and subtle performance. If only New College organ sounded like that today, alas, even after attempts to restore its original sound 😒

[@thethikboy]

the prelude with it's A pedal while the harmonic arpeggios foam and bubble, seems to depict a great oceanic vortex.

[@GlamRockCowboy]

This work is one of a number of instances where the prelude and the fugue date from two different times in Bach's life. The Prelude is the earlier of the two, while the Fugue was apparently created significantly later. The two movements were most likely combined during the 1740's, when Bach began the process of compiling all of his works into what he hoped would be one definitive collection. Sadly, his health failed so rapidly during this time that he was unable to achieve this. Also, his sons failed to properly comply with whatever wishes their father may have had along these lines, whether due to lack of time, or for other reasons. It is fortunate that this masterful piece of musical contrasts has survived.

[@xxOmnipresencexx]

The fugue just screamed "Krebs" to me, I guess the fact that it was very late in Bach's career explains that!

[@kentallyn2880]

My teacher while I was a student at St Alban's. RIP

[@kasiphia]

RIP to St. Alban as well.

[@noiselesspatient]

My teacher too during university days. Much missed. A wise and kind man.

[@micheal49]

Love the reed choice in the pedal. Terrific!

[@PMS1950]

Hurford was such an exciting interpreter of Bach and his complete collection of Bach's organ works remains my favourite, along with Lionel Rogg's played on the Metzler of the Grossmunster, Zurich. Hurford was not always the most technically perfect recitalist, and I recall a performance he gave on the Royal Festival Hall organ, which revealed either a lack of practice or just nerves. It was still an enjoyable performance. Similarly, but in a different world of instrument and artist, the great horn player Barry Tuckwell performing at thee Wigmore Hall in the early 1970s managed more duff notes playing some famous sonata than one thought possible. The audience seemed oblivious of his uncharacteristic inaccuracies, probably thinking that "this is the great Barry, it must be my hearing!" All good fun and very reassuring to learn than even the best have their off days.

[@ChristianHuygens1]

E Biggs is the greatest interpreter of Bach

[@danielenke9567]

Der Anfang war bestimmt für Bach so n Test, ob die Tasten alle bei der Orgel funktionieren... :-) schön besonders die Fuge.

[@Samantha-vlly]

Just listen to piano and violin pieces of Bach but I'd never thought an organ piece relaxes my mind... Never entertained this instrument until now

[@stevewallschlaeger1379]

I think this is Bach on a balanced happy clarity filled Sunday morning best.

[@SlateFx]

This fugue is Bach at full power. Amazing technical craft, focused creative vision, unique and powerful. He must have been proud of this one.

[@pietvandijk1349]

Dit is hét voorbeeld van de vaak genoemde meeslepende ''stuwing'' in het werk van Bach, het dendert maar door naar het eind in een wervelende show die uiteindelijk logisch oplost. Wie luistert wordt meegenomen, het werk in, alles staat op z'n plaats, komt logisch tot een eind. Zou eigenlijk op geen begrafenis mogen ontbreken, je gaat gesterkt weer naar huis: alles komt goed.

[@winterdesert1]

How Bach wrote such stuff is hard to fathom. You really have to believe in a higher power to accept it.

[@missasinenomine]

I agree. And he fathered 20 children as well! Talk about productive.

[@apb64]

Вот эта вещь! Знаю и слушаю ее много лет, но каждый раз она просто потрясает! Совершенно недосягаемый гений смог создать это произведение! Ну может быть только фуга из Большой Мессы Моцарта под стать этому! Бах всегда будет в моем сердце!

[@watchmakerful]

Согласен! А ещё Пассакалья BWV 582.

[@Smilthy]

Father Bach “The Great” would probably think this is a great tempo 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 Amazing rendition to a masterwork! Bravissimo!

[@andrewashdown3541]

When I moved into my present house - 20 years ago now - I installed a new hi-fi: Technics amp, Sony CD-player & Mordaunt-Short speakers - and - with no furniture or curtains to absorb the sound - put on the Hurford Double Decca full blast - 543, 564, 566 reverberated through the empty space ...

[@TimondeNood]

wow, wow! That fugue is pure bliss! Thanks

[@ep4169]

Nice that the music page turns every so often so you can find your place again. :)

[@jimenezp4491]

Bach was a genius seeing the counterpoint solutions

[@josedomingosgiffonirosa8362]

A genialidade de Bach atinge níveis perto do absoluto. Para mim, esta obra é a mãe santa fe todas as fugas. O tema, ou os temas, tanto no prelúdio como na fig brilha. Uma obra prima de um dos gênios da musica no mundo.

[@PointyTailofSatan]

There was a lot of other superb Hurford organ playing on KZbin until recently, just after Hurford died. Hopefully it will return some day.

[@michaelmiller1215]

TERIFFIC interpretation and technique, and imaginative registrations!

[@DavidArdittiComposer]

See also the masterly transcription of this for the piano by Liszt: faithful to Bach yet perfect for the new instrument.

[@paulbloemen7256]

Absolutely magnificent, in every respect.

[@krisdabaliguy6850]

The 32’ stop adds the authority necessary to make this absolutely frightening

[@mysticmouse7261]

The fugue is a cathedral fashioned in the air with spun gold.

[@caesare1968]

Excellentissimo!! What a gift to humanity!

[@maxalvarez5223]

So beautiful a tear comes to my eye

[@974MaBo]

I like this as much as Virgil Fox's version. There are very few organist which have understood how to play last 2 fugue bars.

[@volkeredmund]

"Bach, nein, Meer sollte er heißen" so Ludwig van Beethoven über das musiklaische Genie Johann Sebastian Bach und drückt dabei seine tiefe Bewunderung über ihn aus. Beethoven selbst steht dabei Bach in seinen schöpferischen Kompositionen in nichts nach.

[@juanrodrigez1230]

fantastico me fasina esta composicion

[@flybdavis25404]

Absolutely amazing!!!

[@davidrehak3539]

Johann Sebastian Bach:a-moll Prelúdium és fúga BWV 543 Peter Hurford-orgona

[@aquariansage1451]

How brilliant.

[@musiquemusique4456]

Magnifique

[@thomasdastillung4097]

00:47 you need good air supply to maintain that low pedal A for so long

[@hoon_sol]

Literally a minute straight.

[@user-fu7zf4ck9z]

Check out the Orgelpunkte of BWV540 and the Pastorale in F

[@АлександрЯрков-ш2з]

Браво гениально произведение органного искусства

[@nerdtalk1789]

Bach writing heavy Metal fr

[@lucasramos253]

Imagine being at school and suddenly this start to play

[@doctorfoster1968]

that's what happened to me!

[@berserker96]

What a gem

[@snens85]

Sehr schön. Auch ausgezeichnet gewählte Tempi.

[@Kevin-sq1hh]

please upload the rendition of e power biggs

[@CarloTheImmortal]

Damn i love that first phrase

[@xoknight8166]

10:09 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO listen to that low D

[@danielhankes6879]

Sharp

[@armandssurins3364]

4:15

[@andrewashdown3541]

Best version - I have it on Decca.

[@stevewallschlaeger1379]

Where is Andrea Heininger when you need her one awesome Organist and such a fantastic human being as well. I'm quite sure she would nail this one. Perfect. Wow.

[@roman1akid]

0:45-1:53 is the closest music has come to depicting Hell. What terror...

[@thomasmorrison4846]

Sweet Jesus! Mother of God! What a tour de force. 😲

[@pianolentiwals1862]

fantastic

[@Domino7772]

Very good fugue, I like it

[@Souls_p_]

Love Bach

[@lior1328]

Bach😍

[@antoniomm2879]

Simplemente Bach

[@gerardotlahuize9910]

Bach ah Sido un maravilloso genio.pero lo k no sé. Abla es k.atras de el estubo un ángel celestial guiandole.para componer.bellisimas notas musicales. y aaaaah me.fascina.

[@MrGar11]

8:06-8:18

[@edgardodelisi8634]

Colosal Bach.

[@as75534]

WOW

[@fredericchopin7538]

Wonderful!

[@panlomito]

BWV 543 was my first love and it will be my last !

[@ClassicalMusicAndSoundtracks]

Well, I guess that this is called "The Great" for a reason.

[@michelabboud2495]

The fugue is equivalent to RUBENS PAINTING LISTEN TO A. SHCHWEITZER version

[@jakubkeska5998]

Strooong bass ❤️

[@kadaralex9787]

9:49

[@kadaralex9787]

0:09

[@gerardotlahuize9910]

mi favorita de aquellas. .M .M. emes? chingonas

4:16 magique

[@ezequielstepanenko3229]

Tremendous

[@klhx]

the articulation seems a bit too legato and connected. i feel like some of the contrapuntal lines get obfuscated with such unarticulated playing in a baroque work. some of the touch employed in the fugue could be transferred to the prelude.

[@hendy24]

I don't know what that means but I agree

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Bach really loved the wedge form. lol

[@roelofvandermerwe1147]

Pedal is a bit loud but I LOVE IT.

[@bartjebartmans]

Well, you know how difficult it is to record an organ don't you? Where to put the mikes etc. etc.

[@roelofvandermerwe1147]

@@bartjebartmans yes of course, i dont mean loud as in volume, i mean i feel like my organ lecturer would scowl me for playing with such a reedy "loud" pedal stop. BUT I LOVE IT. pedals are my favourite part about playing organ

[@fisherroastedpeanut]

The Sicilian Clan

[@mw11stuff]

Nice performance. Although a little too much pedal in the prelude for my liking. Excellent nonetheless!

[@platitudeomenw441]

kinda sounds like a fantasy to me

[@marklee7864]

It is a Bach.

[@seanmarshall7529]

this organ as 64 footers!

[@drmarcushead9036]

Only 32’ I’m afraid (I have played it). The 8’ trumpets above your head are angry beasts and can be heard coupled to the pedal. Wonderful instrument but slightly dry acoustic - especially compared to Kings Cambridge (New College’s ‘enemy’).

[@fernandmusician1889]

Me hace estremecer

[@crucifixusju606]

Я не понимаю чем некоторым людям так нравятся фуги... Для меня все голоса в фуге сливаются в одну гармонию.... В чем смысл этого если и так не различаешь голоса? Или я один такой?

[@Rutch]

There should be a religion based on Bach

[@miphtan]

bass sound not okay - sorry

[@teunvandesteeg7836]

The organist is very good but I do not like the interpretation. Music is not a machine but must breathe and move in the right way.

[@pianoplayer1262]

I felt the same way. Like there is something missing.

[@engelbertschoormans]

With all respects, I don't like this version, most of because of the organ. It doesn't sound very well as the real Baroque instruments in Thuringia and Saxony.

[@bartjebartmans]

This organ was built for the 17th and 18th century music of France and Spain as well as for that of Northern Europe. It acknowledged the need to contribute to the Anglican liturgical tradition, in the chapel where (according to Norman Cocker) Sir Hugh Allen was the person who “first made the organ smoke”. But more important was the need to be part of a European mainstream which had passed Britain by.

[@bartjebartmans]

The builders have been advised by Prof. Edward Higginbottom, then Director of Music and his assistant Steven Grahl, and they have received advice from Paul Hale, a former organ scholar at New College. The electric wiring inside the organ, the electric stop action and the digital registration system were provided by Clive Sidney and Calvin Smith www.sidneys.org The new keyboards and coupler chassis, and the new stop knobs, were provided by Baumgartner Orgelbau www.baumgartner-orgelteile.de

[@bartjebartmans]

Leander Schoormans. After the upheavals of wartime, the Germans embraced modern design and modern materials in a way seductive for many in Britain. Maurice Forsyth-Grant took David Lumsden to visit a number of new organs around Düsseldorf and Hanover. Their enthusiasm survives in this organ, in a style common in Germany, but now very rare in the UK. Apart from the Swell Salicional and Celeste, there isn’t a single stop that would have been encountered in a traditional English organ of the period. The German stop names indicate the influence of the German Organ Reform Movement; the French stop names of the Swell reflect its eclecticism.

[@engelbertschoormans]

Thank you for your interesting explanation. I listened again with that knowledge. I know what you mean. Personally, I'm not very fan of neo baroque / Orgel-bewegung Organs. The playing is actually good, so I would be very excited if he played this on an organ like Rötha, Waltershausen or Naumburg.

[@davidecymba]

it's a Hurford choice not to play bach on baroque organs. if you listen to his complete organ works he plays mostly 3 modern instruments: this one, the 4/P Rieger in ratzemburg and a 2/P in canada. all modern instruments with equal temperament.

[@SarumChoirmaster]

BORING!

[@bartjebartmans]

Nice!

[@segala7853]

Who leaves such negativity under music videos. It's genuinely a rarity to act like this under a music video. Congrats on thinking it's boring though?? Want a cookie??

[@SarumChoirmaster]

@@segala7853 I genuinely feeling that his playing of this work, which I know extremely well, is boring.

[@michelabboud2495]

Don’t listen

[@Ecsoto1995]

With a pair of eyes, you may have noticed the volumes of comments praising the rendition you are now listening to. You are entitled to your opnion, but take care to evaluate whether your comment adds value to the conversation. Why is it boring? Give us a breakdown so that we may reach common ground.