Bach recordings

Writes Christopher Condon:

Dear Lew:

In a recent post, noted pianist Lang Lang said that a good composer to listen to in stressful times like these is J.S. Bach. I have heard a lot of Bach recordings and would like to recommend the most outstanding CD’s for your readers:

Complete keyboard works performed on harpsichord by Helmut Walcha.

Complete organ works performed by Helmut Walcha on Archiv. Buy the later stereo set rather than the earlier monaural set. Walcha’s legendary recording of the St. Anne Prelude and Fugue (BWV 552), however, is not included in either of the complete sets, but is available along with several other works on a separate single CD from DGG, along with several other works.

Partitas: Ralph Kirkpatrick, may be available separately or as part of a boxed set

French Suites: Kenneth Gilbert on Harmonia Mundi

Goldberg Variations: Ralph Kirkpatrick on DGG, Karl Richter on DGG

B-Minor Mass: Karl Richter on DGG

St. Matthew Passion: Karl Richter made three recordings of this for DGG. The very first one from the late 1950’s with Irmgard Seefried is the best of the three.

Christmas Oratorio: Karl Munchinger on Decca

St. John Passion: Karl Munchincger on Decca or Karl Forster on EMI

Magnificat: Karl Richter on DGG

Brandenburg Concertos and Orchestral Suites: Pablo Casals on Sony Classical.

Also worth mentioning: Christiane Jaccottet and Martin Galling made some fabulous recordings of harpsichord works. These are available at ridiculously low prices.

I hope that your readers find this helpful.

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