Search - J.S. Bach, Stockmeier :: Complete Organ Works

The Completeists' Completeist Bach Organ Set

J. F. Laurson | Washington, DC United States | 12/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"**Update, December 2008: The most complete Bach Organ Music set is now that of Gerhard Weinberger on CPO which includes works of dubious authenticity, too. More expensive, but an even worthier survey than Stockmeier's.**



I picked this set up for a good deal less than $70 -- and I am glad I did, if mostly for the purpose of having every last little bit of Bach organ music in my library... and at significantly less cost than any other 'complete' set that I was aware of then. Stockmeier's traversal of appropriate organs is marvelous, too, as you get to know the different tonal qualities of different instruments that Bach did (or might have, in some cases) played himself or had in mind when composing certain works.



Stockmeier himself is not a virtuoso, not a showman, not a romanticist. His playing is perhaps best described with "Professorial" -- although in English that sounds like a bit more of a put down than I would want to imply. He is not hell-bent on some 'authentic' approach (something that flawed/s Kopmann's incomplete set that lurks around on Brilliant records) but he does not (lovingly) indulge in M-C Alain -like fashion [Second Cycle], either. (Not even to mention Mr. Virgil Fox.) I prefer the playing of Karl Richter (unselfconscious, warmer, bigger) and probably even Walcha... but to attest Stockmeier "competence" and "capability" would be selling his skill far too short, also. It's a bit on the dry side, for sure - but skillfully abetted with single or double discs of some of your favorite organ works by Bach with an organist who completely matches your preference, this might well make a preferred choice as the complete-works back-up."