Bach: Organ Prelude in B Minor, BWV 544

[@olalilja2381]

BWV has always been my favorite Bach organ-piece. Good to know that it might also has been Bach's favorite :) Well played!

[@mikeclarke6537]

divinely played.. the pianist is a true craftsman of his art .. genius

[@bradbwh]

I think Bach is the genius here :) ... and the performance is excellent.

[@jwj410]

this piece is like a rollercoaster and the pianist rode it will grace and unnerving accuracy. What a boss!

[@ultrametric9317]

This is just fantastic - so faithful to the original!!!

[@NathanMonkMusic]

Oh my word. Now that is how this piece should sound. I’ve been looking everywhere for a recording of the prelude that I actually like, other than the Netherlands Bach Society one. Turns out that the piano is the answer.

[@jaapvandervlies1675]

It,s original written for "organo pleno" but indeed , i like also this version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXWte4x3ost3gJo

[@PerrrfictKats]

Prelude and Fugue in B minor composed for performance in the Academic Memorial service for Saxon Electress Christine Ebhardine that took place in the University Church of Pauliner in Leipzig Oct. 17,1727. The organ piece would have served as an organ Prelude and Fugue opening for the Cantata 198-Mourning Ode,"Lass, Furstin,Lass Noch Einen Strahl" also composed in B minor and the opening music has the same chromatic harmonies.

[@lucascriabine5404]

A compositional and interpretative masterpiece ... my opinion is that no organ interpretation can match this admirable performance. I firmly believe in the expressive superiority of the piano (crescendo, accentuation, softness, elegance and immeasurable sensuality.) Thanks and the most vivid compliments to the performer Thoman Labe.

[@rogernichols1124]

The expressive sorority of the piano is a given but the brilliance of Bach's contrapuntal writing is what carries this work through. Both versions, I'm sure, would have been acceptable to Bach but he would have found the piano sound challenging. Don't forget, the organ was his lifetime's means of expression and I would in preference listen to the organ version to this (admittedly brilliant) translation.

[@MootPoot]

this is so perfect

[@novascotiawill]

simply beautiful :)

[@haydnschlinger6740]

You know it’s good when the piano sounds like an organ… (If you’ve heard the organ version before)

[@rogernichols1124]

The piano is to the organ what margarine is to butter.

[@berlinerophon-channel]

Great interpretation of a great transcription!

[@rodstartube]

awesome interpretation

[@1259968]

Perla assoluta.

[@mtv565]

@ trazom722: The loud (with contra bass) and softer sections are suggesting this organ piece to be emulating an orchestral piece with TUTTI and SOLO sections.

[@felipetavares79]

Naxos should really look into making a CD out of these performances. I lost count of how many times I listened the mp3 file of your rendering of this organ prelude. Probably something close to 200 times. And still listening... :-) And the piece by Franck is also impeccable. I heard that many times too. Incredibly good. Congrats!

[@cenodus]

This is an incredible interpretation - very clear and beautifully melodic! Can i find a CD recording of this though? I have been trying and can't seem to find anything. Also, I was not aware of the Tscherlitzky transcription - I have to say they are much better than Liszt's. Where can I find the score for that - have unsuccessful so far, as well. Thank you for posting

[@Mr.Dziej72]

Superb pianism.

[@cenodus]

What beautiful interpretation! I don't think Gould could have played this better - such effortless expression. This arrangement is quite beautiful itself - much better than Liszt ( whose transcriptions are always so flat ) . but I can't find the score anywhere- would someone be able to help me? Also - what amazing filming! ALL pianists should be filmed like this - the beauty is in the hands!

[@PerrrfictKats]

@PerrrfictKats Prelude and Fugue in B Minor 544 was composed for this Memorial service, and a presentation copy was made by Bach in autograph, but who it was presented to...? The question remains.

[@Xwap]

Do anyone can see colours and emotions in head while historical sheets are played?

[@martinsaip2504]

I do! Not only while historical sheets are played, but while almost any music (mostly classical) is played. It is called chromesthesia, and for me, timbre⟿colour.

[@МаксимФаррахов-ю4з]

Красиво.

[@lovely_843]

❤️

[@Deibler666]

Far more superior than the Liszt transcription. Less pedal, more staccato and that's it! 5:00 epic!

[@rogernichols1124]

This is perfectly suited to the piano but the original version for organ has the upper hand as far as sheer sorority goes. (Sorry, but I'm an organist !)

[@mtv565]

@ 1:55 - wrong note in bass!

[@jwj410]

@dmu87 It's a difficult piece to play on piano, as of course you can't play with your feet, so one has to accommodate another voice in the hands. I've had a look through it and find it difficult to play without any jolting effect or some slight changes in tempo here and there. Besides that, I personally really like this rendition; it has a majestic edge that I feel if one were to hold back a little bit would be compromised.

[@3NUNS]

Liszt has also written a pianoforte transcription.

[@MrKipW]

I should have posted my Briskier question in response to this comment. What do you think of his transcriptions? Has anyone recorded any of them?

[@MusicPredominates]

@Biff947 : It´s in the post !

[@3NUNS]

@Biff947 In the nine hundred and forty-eigth round Biff !

[@luckychang2095]

How can I find this piano version score?

[@MusicPredominates]

@MaestroCanale : Could you please clarify your asservation that the PDF is actually available on your website please !

[@MusicPredominates]

@MaestroCanale : Could you please clarify this asservation please ?

[@MusicPredominates]

@MaestroCanale : Could you please clarify this !!!!

[@MrKipW]

Since you mention Briskier, I'll ask you: Are there any recordings of his piano arrangements? I have a number of them in sheet music but have never heard them played except by me, and that hardly counts. What do you think of them?

[@Biff947]

Where can I find the entire handwritten copy by Bach?

[@mtv565]

@1:55 - A wrong note in the bass! Please re-do this video!

[@3NUNS]

@Broodjebrood : Und now thou hast!

[@randiey95]

1:13 5:02

[@youtert]

I was told there would be an organ. [/Milton]

It seems to me that God dictated directly to Bach. This piece on the organ is so sublime. Not bad on piano either.

[@marcocampus7943]

This prelude can stay also without his fugue.

[@SteigmiraufsDach]

why isn´t it played by on organ??? it is a organwork and an organwork belongs to an organ.But it is a really great perfamanc. It is really graet. congratulation

[@Engineer9736]

SteigmiraufsDach Because there are already 500 versions on the organ of this piece? Isn’t it allowed to play it on piano for once?

[@3NUNS]

@aardvaark069 : No. Not quite! Only the Bible was so dictated!

[@감바스-k6s]

오픈채팅방 : 성경구절 배틀

[@dmu87]

Why you do slow the tempo so frequently and with so much drama? I love this piece and overall I really enjoy your performance but the extreme decellerandos creating a really jolting effect. You could be a little more conservative and put more effort into shaping the lines and articulating the cadences. It's not as dramatic as the big decellerandos but it will bring out the ideas more nicely.