The Organ Magazine www.theorganmag.com
February 2001
Several of Loft’s recordings can be seen as important
documents of very specific areas or repertoire performed by highly skilled
executants of the performance practices appropriate to that repertoire.
This is one such release. Harald
Vogel is justly famous for his performances of North German Baroque music
and his championing of historical playing techniques.
Here, Vogel has been recorded on one of the USA’s landmark
organ reform instruments, John Brombaugh’s Opus 19 in Eugene, Oregon.
The organ was inspired by North German instruments and sounds
lively, direct and inspiring throughout with singing principals, prompt,
smooth, Schnitgerian reeds and highly flexible wind.
Vogel at least is clearly inspired, and consequently this is as
good a player/instrument partnership as you’re likely to hear.
Harald Vogel’s survey of some of Bach’s earliest organ
compositions includes the 8 Little Preludes and Fugues, together
with the partita on O Gott, du frommer Gott, and the keyboard Toccata
in E minor. On paper this
may appear an unappetising feast, but it turns out not to be. As Abbey Siegfried points out in the booklet, “compositions
by the young Bach present many challenging and fascinating problems…of
chronological order, stylistic influence…and performance practice issues
of registration and musical interpretation”.
The booklet incidentally deserves a special mention as it is simply
outstanding. It contains
essays on the music by Roger Sherman, Harald Vogel – a fascinating
contribution on the 8 Little Preludes and Fugues, including their
authenticity, musical merits and performance practice issues – and Abbey
Siegfried, an essay on the organ by John Brombaugh himself, and full
registration details. I can
hardly think of a better booklet in an organ CD; in other words, other
labels need to pull their socks up!
Vogel’s
approach is as ever impeccable.
His ability to get the best out of both music and organ are simply
beyond reproach.
Roger Sherman’s recording is up to his usual standards.
This is a model release and well worth tracking down.