Bach: The Neumeister Chorales
Christopher Herrick (Metzler choir organ of the Stadkirche, Zofingen, Switzerland)
These 38 chorale preludes come from a collection of 83 pieces compiled in the 18th century by Johann Gottfried Neumeister that eventually made its way to Yale University, where it was discovered...
Bach: The Neumeister Chorales
Christopher Herrick (Metzler choir organ of the Stadkirche, Zofingen, Switzerland)
Purchase product
These 38 chorale preludes come from a collection of 83 pieces compiled in the 18th century by Johann Gottfried Neumeister that eventually made its way to Yale University, where it was discovered...
About
The pieces on this disc originate from an extremely exciting discovery from 1985a manuscript anthology of chorale preludes, compiled by Johann Gottfried Neumeister in the last decade of the 18th century and identified as containing over 30 previously unknown chorale preludes dating from Bach's formative years. There is tremendous variety and imagination in this collection and these little-known pieces surely deserve to be more widely appreciated, hence this recording as part of Christopher Herrick's complete survey of Bach's organ works for Hyperion. They offer a fascinating insight into the development of the young composer and also give glimpses of the man he was to become. All of the music on this album is also available as part of the specially priced box set Bach: The Complete Organ Works: Let me say without hesitation that Herricks performances are models of clarity, accuracy, precision and musicality this is a complete Bach that has plenty of character and verve and which would bear repeated listening (Choir & Organ).
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
2010
These 38 chorale preludes come from a collection of 83 pieces compiled in the 18th century by Johann Gottfried Neumeister that eventually made its way to Yale University, where it was discovered by the Bach scholar Christoph Wolff. Bach's preludes are early works, and as Wolff so aptly wrote: 'Already there is innovation. There's a degree of originality and sophistication that is really quite remarkable.' Herrick gives clear, attractive performances with rhythmic articulation and lively ornamentation. Some listeners may find his playing too calculated and self-conscious, but these are sprightly readings, free of excessive mannerism. The most enjoyable aspect of the CD is the way Herrick gives each chorale prelude its own distinct sound world, despite having only a nine-stop, one-manual Metzler organ.
This instrument is one of the most beautiful organs imaginable, and Herrick achieves a pleasing variety of colour. Some may find the organ a little too closely miked.
