Search - D. Buxtehude :: Organ Works

I can Hear The LP

Thomas Delaney | 04/03/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I give this CD 3 stars - Buxtehude deserves 5 of course as does Walter Kraft and the organ on these recordings. However, we organ afficianados are used to getting some sleeve notes about the composer, the artist, and the instrument, and these were not included in the package I received.



Also the recording itself is unusual. Walter Kraft is the organist whom I remember well because I have an old 3 LP set of Bach organ music with him at the organ. The CD reviewed here sounds as if it is simply a recording of an LP, complete with scratch sounds and even some skips. Reminded me of the old days when my brothers used to use their old Beatles albums as hockey pucks. We could conteract the damage done by this by placing several pennies on the stylus to weigh it down and prevent it from skipping. Needless to say it was not the most sonically impressive musical recording I have ever heard. But I digress.



The compositions on this recording are very impressive, some of the best in the repertoire. The performance and especially the instrument sound absolutely magnificent (what organ is this?). I just wish someone (an engineer?) had actually listened to for instance the Prelude and Fugue in g-minor, BFK 7, because he/she would have noticed that we actually have several skips in the beginning (use a couple pennies next time!). Suffice it to say that this instrument, as aforementioned, unknown, Walter Kraft, and most especially Buxtehude all deserve better.



Thomas E. Delaney

April 3, 2008"