Two Concertos For Organ

The practice of composing for two keyboard instruments, very common in the illustrious Bach family, naturally achieved its apotheosis with Johann Sebastian, whose three concertos for two harpsichords are performed here by Olivier Fortin and Emmanuel Frankenberg with the Ensemble Masques. These works, particularly the concertos in C minor, are among the composer’s most admired. They suggest a conception of the concerto specific to Bach: rather than a dialogue between several individual entities, the piece presents a subtle intertwining of melodic lines and blurs the distinction between solo and tutti parts by making them respond to and quote each other, thus illustrating the principle of harmony dear to the composer. Finally, the recording on two harpsichords of the Prelude and Fugue BWV 552, originally composed for organ, is in keeping with the nineteenth-century tradition of transposing Bach’s works with the aim of giving their refined polyphony greater clarity.

This album is devoted to Handel's concertante music for solo oboe, of which only a few concertos have survived. He was particularly fond of the instrument and assigned many solos to it in his oratorios, operas, concerti grossi and sonatas. He is even reported to have said of his early oboe works: 'I used to write like the D-v [Devil] in those days, but chiefly for the oboe, which was my favourite instrument.'

The marvellous Ton Koopman plays Bach's complete works for organ in wonderful performances full of power, passion, and grace! These digital recordings were made in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999.

This generously filled two-disc Harmonia Mundi release includes not only Handel's complete set of six organ concertos published after his death as his Opus 7, but also the organ concerto known as "The Cuckoo and the Nightingale," plus three works for solo harpsichord: a fugue in G minor and two chaconnes. The recording has transparent yet immediate super audio digital sound that puts the music in the room with the listener. These performances are as charming and engaging as the finest ever recorded. Organist and harpsichordist Richard Egarr is impressive in both roles. As the organ soloist, Egarr is strong and sensitive in the concertos, with a real talent for improvisation in the cadenzas.