Bach - Greatest Organ Works, Vol. 1

Starring:Hans-Andre Stamm
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Glorious. Splendid. Awe-inspiring. How else to describe the experience of hearing J.S. Bach's greatest organ music, played by a virtuoso on an instrument that's nearly 300 years old and then delivered via state-of-the-art digital audio? Playing the Trost Organ in Waltershausen, Germany, Hans-André Stamm makes his way through nine different pieces, from thunderous fugues (including the familiar Toccata and Fugue in D Minor) to stately hymns and delicate pastorales. The 80-minute program is impressive, as are the bonus DVD features that accompany it. Among the latter are a bio of the organist; a timeline tracing political, cultural, and biographical events in Bach's world during the early 18th century; "Thuringia Impression," an extra musical selection set to filmed scenes of the green, rolling, German countryside; and an extensive "liner notes" section with notes on the compositions, a description of the organ (it has 2,806 pipes and was reputedly played by Bach himself), and display options for viewing titles, harmonic analysis of the music, or details of the organ's many stops and registrations (i.e., levers and knobs used to achieve its wondrous sounds).

If there's one flaw, it's the surfeit of close-ups on Stamm's hands and feet as he works the keys and pedals (not to mention the odd angles on his face as he studies the music), and the relative lack of longer, wider shots of the magnificent organ and the church in which it's located. On the other hand, one can simply turn off the picture and use the disc like an audio CD, and the power and majesty of Bach's genius will still come through loud and clear. --Sam Graham
Description
Co-produced by Pioneer Entertainment, this program was recorded last month in honor of Johann Sebastian Bach's 250th anniversary. It has been recorded in video with 96K / 24bit multi-track audio on the Trost-Organ in Waltershausen, Germany. This organ was selected for its incredible sound and suitability for Bach music. Additionally, Bach himself actually played this particular organ during his lifetime.

The performance is by renowned organist and Bach specialist Hans-Andre Stamm.

Includes Johann Sebastian Bach Favorites:

Toccata and Fugue d minor BWV 565 Präludium and Fugue E flat major BWV 552 Passacaglia and Fugue c minor BWV 582 Various Choral Preludes

DVD Features:

Amazon.com

Glorious. Splendid. Awe-inspiring. How else to describe the experience of hearing J.S. Bach's greatest organ music, played by a virtuoso on an instrument that's nearly 300 years old and then delivered via state-of-the-art digital audio? Playing the Trost Organ in Waltershausen, Germany, Hans-André Stamm makes his way through nine different pieces, from thunderous fugues (including the familiar Toccata and Fugue in D Minor) to stately hymns and delicate pastorales. The 80-minute program is impressive, as are the bonus DVD features that accompany it. Among the latter are a bio of the organist; a timeline tracing political, cultural, and biographical events in Bach's world during the early 18th century; "Thuringia Impression," an extra musical selection set to filmed scenes of the green, rolling, German countryside; and an extensive "liner notes" section with notes on the compositions, a description of the organ (it has 2,806 pipes and was reputedly played by Bach himself), and display options for viewing titles, harmonic analysis of the music, or details of the organ's many stops and registrations (i.e., levers and knobs used to achieve its wondrous sounds).

Description

Co-produced by Pioneer Entertainment, this program was recorded last month in honor of Johann Sebastian Bach's 250th anniversary. It has been recorded in video with 96K / 24bit multi-track audio on the Trost-Organ in Waltershausen, Germany. This organ was selected for its incredible sound and suitability for Bach music. Additionally, Bach himself actually played this particular organ during his lifetime.

The performance is by renowned organist and Bach specialist Hans-Andre Stamm.

Includes Johann Sebastian Bach Favorites:

•Toccata and Fugue d minor BWV 565 •Präludium and Fugue E flat major BWV 552 •Passacaglia and Fugue c minor BWV 582 •Various Choral Preludes

DVD Features:

•96K / 24 bit Non compressed stereo audio •Dolby Digital 5.1 audio •Music Analysis / Subtitles •Performer Profiles •Historical Timeline •Liner Notes •Glossary

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Video but Low Frequency Artifacts.......2007-04-09

The video from this DVD is outstanding. I wouldn't change anything. The only issue is with fairly continuous low frequency noise. If you have large speakers or a subwoofer, you will hear the noise - very disappointing.

Great Composition, Organ, Performance, Video, Audio.......2006-10-01

I highly recommend this DVD (also volume 2) for anyone who loves classical music. To be precise, it is baroque organ music.

Pros:
1. A variety of Bach composition: dance music, church music, fugue...
2. Hans-André Stamm's fingerworks is really clean, even,... And his footworks are fantastic. He seems so natural when performing all the difficult pieces.
3. The organ is picture perfect, ornaments, decorations everywhere... on the pipes, the 3 key registers, the sides, angels above,...
4. The organ sound is clear, diverse,... I listen to stereo (not multi 5.1 channel), with no sub-woofer. This is a good test DVD for the hifi. Really enjoy the entire audio spectrum from deep bass to high frequencies from the tweeters.
5. The extra video shows a glimpse of Waltershausen, Germany. It is so peaceful.

Cons:
1. The performance is a bit short.

I highly recommend this. Even though it is a bit short, but I fully enjoy every minute of it. This is definitely a must-see.

Awesome !!.......2006-08-20

This DVD on Bachs organ works is awesome ! There is no other words to describe it. The sound was suberb! If there had to be a little critical it would be - would have loved to seen more foot work. Would of loved to have seen an inside picture of all his foot work. I was thrilled with both DVDs - Vol 1 & 2 and hope they have more planed. This is an wonderful example of the art involved in making an organ.My hats are off to the camerman and sound people - but of course the performer was "AWESOME" Thank you for having this available to us. Hope to see more. LeRoy Weber

Lifeless and fake.......2005-09-07

Pipe organ music is, of course, best heard performed live, but I hoped that 5.1 surround sound would come in second (ahead of stereo). It does, but this pair of DVDs (BGOW volumes 1 and 2) is not worth listening to in any fidelity. There's something about the way Hans-Andre Stamm plays Bach, it seems lifeless. Perfunctory. Like he's playing the notes without feeling them. I'd rather listen to my cassette tape of E. Power Biggs playing Bach. The video accompaniment to the music is lame too, clearly staged shots of him scowling and pounding the keys. Stay away from these DVDs.

Well played and nicely produced.......2004-05-30

Mr. Stamm's playing is very good, and is consistent with current thinking on historical performance practices. Also, the audio and video quality of this DVD is top-notch. By the way, the video is anamorphic widescreen, not full-screen. I think the opening titles might be in full-screen format, but once the music starts you have a widescreen presentation. Excellent!

The use of multiple cameras keeps things visually interesting. My only suggestion for future volumes is to include more frequent video of intricate pedal passages and less video of the organ's facade. (Hands and feet are where the visual interest in organ performance is found, and both should be featured prominently.) The camera looking down on the keydesk from above provides an excellent view and could be used much more frequently.

The extra features are also outstanding. Musical analysis and registrations are invaluable. This is a classical music DVD done right.

Hopefully we'll see more organ DVDs in the future, including different organs and different composers.

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