Search - Bach, Carlo Curley :: Favorite Organ Works

A Curley Classic.

Steven S. Billings | Canton, MI USA | 11/07/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Carlo Curley is a competent organist who brings his own unique interpretations to his performance of well-known Bach organ works. One will note almost immediately his uncommon phrasing in the famous opening line of "Toccata and Fugue in D minor," clipping the end of the phrase compared to how it is usually interpreted. Perhaps he is right and the popular interpretation is not; only a musicologist would know for sure. But certainly, it is different, which is not always a bad thing. And Curley is unapologetic in his approach to these pieces. He breaks a number of "rules," applying what some would call "romantic" principles to baroque music. Curley's argument is that Bach was limited to the technology of his day, and would have interpreted his own pieces differently had he been blessed with more modern technology. Of course, this argumentation can be carried too far, but I believe Curley does not. A purest should not purchase this disc, but one who is interested in a new "reading" of some of Bach's most famous works may find this set valuable."