Dieterich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707)
Complete Organ Works
Harald Vogel (organ)
rec. 1986-1993
Programme and locations at end of review
Bonus DVD: Documentary about the Schnitger Organ in Cappel
MDG 314 2148-2 [7 CDs: 484:44 & DVD]
Organist Harald Vogel commenced these recordings of the complete organ works of Dieterich Buxtehude in 1986 a project prompted by the 350th birthday of the composer that fell in 1987.
Released on MDG Gold this 7 CD box set is a revised reissue of the acclaimed complete set originally released in 2007 to mark the 300th anniversary of Buxtehude’s death
(review). Recorded by Vogel on 17 predominantly north German organs over the period 1986-93 the works were initially available only in single volumes. Included here but not in the original set is a DVD featuring Vogel playing another instrument – the famous Schnitger-Organ in Cappel.
Buxtehude born in 1637 at Helsingborg (then in Denmark, now Sweden) worked as organist in Helsingborg (1657-1658) and Helsingør (1660-1668). Lübeck was the city where Buxtehude in 1668 settled, becoming organist at the Marienkirche until his death in 1707. At the turn of the 18th century Buxtehude’s standing as an organist was so renowned that the young J.S. Bach made a round trip of approaching 500 miles from Arnstadt to Lübeck by way of a pilgrimage to hear Buxtehude at the organ. No extant manuscripts of Buxtehude’s organ works survive and what we have are copies written by his circle, including his students. Most of Buxtehude’s organ works were written for the main religious festivals of the church year. Each of the CDs in the set are a mix of free works such as preludes and fugues, toccatas and fugues or those based on existing melodies namely chorales and plainsong.
For this set Vogel has chosen to play a range of restored historic organs, which either Buxtehude would have played or exemplify from the composer’s day the original sound and specifications of those German and neighbouring counties namely Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands. Organs are included from cities where Buxtehude worked, namely Lübeck (Germany), Helsingborg (Sweden) and Helsingør (Denmark). A contemporary of Buxtehude, Arp Schnitger the renowned Northern German organ builder, is represented by instruments at Norden, Stade, Weener, Grasberg, Noordbroek, Groningen and Hamburg; a number of which Buxtehude may have known. In addition, there are instruments built by Stellwagen, Wiese, Grotian, Richborn, Kröger/Hus, Herbst/Gercke, Hantelmann, Rottenstein-Pock/Mülisch/Botz and Lorentz/Fritzsche. Only CD 7 is given over to a single instrument which is the famous Schnitger organ at the St. Jacobikirche in Hamburg. Built in 1689-93 this is the most substantial organ in existence prior to 1700 and one Buxtehude might easily have played.
It’s hard to disagree with Harald Vogel who views the box set as providing a fascinating ‘document of the sounds that Buxtehude knew and which inspired him to compose.’ One soon realises that Vogel’s 7 year traversal of these complete Buxtehude organ works is a labour of love. The 17 organs have been chosen for their particular suitability of specification and stylistic context of the works. These are highly appealing performances of a remarkably high standard that have clarity and integrity and communicate a sense of empathy with Buxtehude’s sound world. Using his considerable experience Vogel is discerning in his choice of registration, phrasing, articulation and tempo, with everything feeling just right and producing a wealth of colour. It’s both fascinating and enjoyable to experience the particular character of each organ especially the nuances and aspects of their ranges.
The MDG engineering team responsible for these recordings has done a sterling job providing excellent clarity with pleasing balance and, given the number of locations used, the consistency is excellent. In the box is an invaluable and highly informative 140 page booklet, a revised 2nd edition (2019), containing expanded text by Harald Vogel on each of the 17 organs used and the works played on the 7 CDs. Encompassing considerable technical detail, the text is given in English, French and German. Incidentally we are informed in the notes that the spelling of Buxtehude’s Christian name Dieterich now commonly replaces Dietrich, which was a more modern style. In addition, there is a separate 31-page booklet with photographs of 18 organs (including the Schnitger/Cappel organ used on the DVD) and comprehensive specifications containing the plan of the complete registrations chosen for each work; regrettably, here the text is in German only. A real bonus is the DVD, a superbly filmed video providing a fascinating look at Harald Vogel explaining the renowned Schnitger-Organ in Cappel and playing a handful of works by J.S. Bach and Buxtehude. Actually, there is the option of hearing Vogel speaking in either English or German. On the cover of the box and booklets is a photograph the Schnitger organ of St. Jacobi, Hamburg.
In the catalogue there are a number of sets of the Buxtehude complete organ works including Helmut Walcha/Archiv Produktion; Ulrik Spang-Hanssen/Membran; Bine Bryndorf/Dacapo; Christopher Herrick/Hyperion; Ton Koopman/Challenge Classics; Simone Stella/Brilliant Classics; Walter Kraft/Vox; Marie-Claire Alain/Erato. I don’t profess to know all these sets, having encountered only a few of them, but with such top-drawer playing from Harald Vogel this is an ideal way of experiencing Buxtehude’s complete organ works. Using 17 organs, including some the renowned composer would have known and even played, I can’t give Vogel’s collection higher praise. Undoubtedly this set should have great appeal to those both experienced and those new to Buxtehude. Making a welcome bonus is the DVD of Vogel both playing and narrating aspects of the Schnitger-Organ in St. Peter und Paul, Cappel.
Michael Cookson
Track listing:
CD 1 [69:38]
Stellwagen organ – St. Jacobi (kleine organ), Lübeck
1. Präludium ex C, BuxWV 138
2. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BuxWV 199
3. Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren, BuxWV 212
4. Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren, BuxWV 213
5. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV 192
6. Erhalt’ uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BuxWV 185
7. Präludium ex e, BuxWV 142
8. Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BuxWV 178
Schnitger organ – St. Ludgeri, Norden
9. Präludium ex d, BuxWV 143
10. Vater unser im Himmelreich, BuxWV 219
11. Gelobet seist du, Jesus Christ, BuxWV 188
12. Puer natus in Bethlehem, BuxWV 217
13. Passacaglia ex d, BuxWV 161
14. Wär Gott nicht mit uns in dieser Zeit, BuxWV 222
15. Toccata ex F, BuxWV 157
CD 2 [60:42]
Hus/Schnitger organ – St. Cosmae, Stade
1. Präludium ex C, BuxWV 137
2. Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BuxWV 207
3. Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam, BuxWV 180
4. Toccata ex G manualiter, BuxWV 164
5. Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BuxWV 184
6. Ach Gott und Herr, BuxWV 177
Schnitger organ – Georgskirche, Weener
7. Präludium ex g, BuxWV 150
8. Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn, BuxWV 201
9. Canzonetta ex G, BuxWV 172
10. Präludium iex C, BuxWV 136
11. Nun lob, mein Seel, den Herren, BuxWV 214 + 215
12. Canzonetta ex e, BuxWV 169
13. Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl, BuxWV 187
14. Präludium ex D, BuxWV 139
CD 3 [61:22]
Schnitger organ – Findorffkirche, Grasberg
1. Toccata ex F, BuxWV 156
2. Ciacona ex c, BuxWV 159
3. Canzonetta ex G, BuxWV 171
4. Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich, BuxWV 202
5. Ich dank dir, lieber Herre, BuxWV 194
6. Präludium ex F, BuxWV 145
7. Ciacona ex e, BuxWV 160
8. Herr Jesu Christ, ich weiß gar wohl, BuxWV 193
9. Mit Fried und Freud fahr ich dahin, BuxWV 76
10. Fuga ex C, BuxWV 174
Wiese organ – Herrenhaus, Damp
11. Es ist das Heil uns kommen her, BuxWV 186
12. Magnificat IX. Toni, BuxWV 205
13. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BuxWV 198
14. Präludium ex F, BuxWV 144
CD 4 [68:45]
Schnitger organ – Dorpskerk, Noordbroek (NL)
1. Praeludium ex g, BuxWV 149
2. Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223
3. Canzonetta ex C, BuxWV 167
4. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV 220
5. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV 221
6. Mensch, willst du leben seliglich, BuxWV 206
7. Toccata ex d, BuxWV 155
8. In dulci jubilo, BuxWV 187
Schnitger organ – Aa-kerk, Groningen (NL)
9. Praeludium ex fis, BuxWV 146
10. Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BuxWV 189
11. Canzonetta ex g, BuxWV 173
12. Praeludium ex g, BuxWV 141
13. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV 192
14. Nun bitten wir den heiligen Geist, BuxWV 209
15. Magnificat Primi Toni, BuxWV 203
CD 5 [77:10]
Grotian organ – Reformierte Kirche, Pilsum
1. Praeludium ex e, BuxWV 152
2. Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt, BuxWV 183
3. Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BuxWV 224
4. Canzona ex G, BuxWV 170
5. Praeludium ex C, BuxWV 147
Richborn organ – St. Marien, Buttforde
6. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV 191
7. Courant simble, BuxWV 245
Kröger/Hus organ – St. Laurentius, Langwarden
8. Praeludium ex fis - transponiert nach g, BuxWV 146
9. Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BuxWV 182
10. Aria ex C, BuxWV 246
Herbst/Gercke organ – Patronatskirche, Basedow
11. Praeludium ex A, transponiert nach G, BuxWV 151
12. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BuxWV 211
13. Praeludium ex E, transponiert nach C, BuxWV 141
Hantelmann organ – Johanniterkirche, Groß Eichsen
14. Fuga ex G, BuxWV 175
15. Canzona ex d, BuxWV 168
CD 6 [70:52]
Rottenstein-Pock/Mülisch/Botz organ – Domkirke, Roskilde (DK)
1. Praeambulum ex a, BuxWV 158
2. Magnificat I, Toni, BuxWV 204
3. Aria ex a, BuxWV 249
4. Ich dank dir schon durch deinen Sohn, BuxWV 195
5. Komm heilger Geist, Herre Gott, BuxWV 200
6. Praeludium ex G manualiter, BuxWV 162
7. Aria ex G, Partite diverse sopra una Aria d'Inventione ‘La Capricciosa’, 9 Variationen, BuxWV 250
8. Praeludium ex A, BuxWV 151
9. Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist, BuxWV 208
10. Praeludium ex e, BuxWV 143
Lorentz/Fritzsche organ – Sct. Mariæ Kirke, Helsingør (DK)
11. Fuga ex G, BuxWV 175
Lorentz/Fritzsche organ – S. Mariae, Torrlösa, nr. Helsingborg (S)
12. Canzonetta ex a, BuxWV 225
13. Auf meinen lieben Gott, BuxWV 179
14. Praeludium ex B, BuxWV 154
15. Fuga ex B, BuxWV 176
CD 7 [76:15]
Schnitger organ – St. Jacobi, Hamburg
1. Praeludium ex g, BuxWV 148
2. Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g’mein, BuxWV 210
3. Canzon ex C, BuxWV 166
4. Praeludium ex D, transponiert nach C, BuxWV 139
5. Danket dem Herrn, denn er ist sehr fereundlich, BuxWV 181
6. Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BuxWV 198
7. Praeludium ex d, BuxWV 140
8. Gott der Vater wohn uns bei, BuxWV 190
9. Te deum, BuxWV 218
10. Praeludium ex a, BuxWV 153
DVD [93:09]
Schnitger-Organ - St. Peter und Paul, Cappel
1. JS Bach: Praeludiumin C major, BWV 531
2. The organ in Cappel - introduction
3. Principal 8′ - J. Pachelbel: Ach, was soll ich Sunder machen
4. Principal 8′ - detailed demonstration
5. Flute stops
6. Solo flute chorus
7. Flute 4′ (Rp) - J. Pachelbel: Ach, was soll ich Sunder machen (Var. 2)
8. Quick speech and ‘sweetness of high Principal ranks’
9. JS Bach: Toccata in d minor, BWV 565
10. Reed stops
11. Plenum
12. 3 Plenum registrations at 16′ pitch
13. D. Buxtehude: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (Versus 1)
14. Bach/Vivaldi: Largo from Concerto in d minor, BWV 596/IV
