Dieterich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707)
Complete Organ Works
Harald Vogel (organ)
rec. 1986-1993
Bonus DVD: Documentary about the Schnitger Organ in Cappel
MDG 314 2148-2 [7 CDs: 484:44 & DVD]
This outstanding cycle of the complete organ works of Dieterich Buxtehude was undertaken between 1986 and 1993. MDG knew what they were about when they gave the German organist Harald Vogel the role of performer/interpreter. A renowned organologist and author, he is recognized as a distinguished expert on Renaissance and Baroque keyboard music. He currently holds a professorship at the University of the Arts in Bremen. The seven volumes appeared individually to begin with, then in 2007 they were issued in a box set to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the composer’s death. My colleague Dominy Clements gave the collection an enthusiastic thumbs-up at the time. The set has now been reissued with similar artwork but this time donning a blue rather than crimson livery.
The publicity states that the 140-page booklet has been made over, with revised and extended texts by Vogel himself. A separate 32-page colour booklet features photographic reproductions of the instruments employed in the project, plus full registrations. An added bonus in this new incarnation is a DVD on which Vogel discusses, demonstrates and performs on the Schnitger-Organ in Cappel. The advantage of this set over some others is that the music is not performed and interpreted on a single instrument. The 17 organs used in the recording represent and showcase some of the finest and best of North German and Dutch organ-building traditions. Just to name three, the cycle features instruments from Lübeck (Germany), Helsingborg (Sweden) and Helsingør (Denmark).
There is too much in this vast swathe of music to discuss each work, so I have cherry-picked some of the highlights which won me over. The Ciaccona in C minor, BuxWV159 holds a very special place for me. It was my introduction to Buxtehude when I was a youngster. I was so enchanted with the work that my father bought me the sheet music. This noble melody unfolds over a four-bar ground. It recalls to mind Bach’s Passacaglia in C minor, BWV582, but the latter is on a larger scale. That grandeur plays a striking role in the G minor Praeludium, BuxWV 150. Vogel’s performance showcases the kaleidoscopic variety of textures and colours of the magnificent Schnitger organ of the Georgskirche, Weener. The opening of the Praeludium in A major, BuxWV151 sounds unscripted in its improvisatory quality. Vogel employs some attractive reed stops on the Weise organ. Similar soothing diaphanous sonorities emanate from this instrument in the Magnificat 1X. Toni, BuxWV205.
The most substantial piece in the cycle, at over 15 minutes, is the Chorale Fantasia on Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein, BuxWV210, based on Martin Luther’s Advent hymn ‘Be glad now all you Christian men' of 1524. Its ten variations demonstate the dazzling capabilities of the Schnitger organ, St. Jacobi, Hamburg. The opening of the Toccata in D minor, BuxWV 155 sounds as if it came from the pen of J. S. Bach, but it is not long before Buxtehude finds his feet. That the composer was a gifted and masterly contrapuntalist is evinced in the Fuga ex B, BuxWV 176.
Whether the music be preludes, toccatas, chorale variations, passacaglias or canzonettas, Buxtehude’s imaginative range is breathtaking. Each of the discs present a mixture of styles and forms. This is music that offers the performer a vehicle for virtuosic display, and opportunities to savour the melodic largesse of these captivating scores. Vogel steps up to the plate admirably in uniformly excellent stylish and authoritative interpretations. Not only are his technical accomplishments beyond reproach, but he is a supreme master of colour in his imaginative and daring registration choices. The clear sound, vivid presence and power of these beautiful instruments is fully captured in these top class recordings. They could not be bettered. The scholarly annotations add considerably to one’s knowledge and understanding of the Buxtehude oeuvre. Those with an enquiring mind may want to delve deeper in the relationship of mean-tone and well-tempered systems to Buxtehude’s compositional process.
In short, this cycle is an unmitigated success, and a very welcome reissue.
Stephen Greenbank
Previous review (original release): Dominy Clements
Contents
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
