Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This is the first recording by a British artist on the Cristoph Treutmann organ, Klosterkirche, Grauhof, Germany. This large three-manual instrument contains more original pipe work than most other surviving 18th century organs and is in a good acoustic. If we add that this release is on Regent Records and the producer/engineer is Gary Cole we know that we will hear every note as clearly as if we were there in person. It also means we hear every creak and groan from what is a very elderly instrument but this just adds to the atmosphere. The organist, Margaret Phillips, should need no introduction as she is one of Britain's leading recitalists and teachers and has appeared on many other recordings. So all we need do is list the music on offer on this two CDs for the price of one release: "The 'Eighteen' Chorale Preludes" (BWV 651 - 668), "Canonic Variations On Vom Himmel Hoch" (BWV 769a) and "The 'Schübler' Chorale Preludes" (BWV 645 - 650). That is a lot of Bach for your money. Collectors of organ music must investigate this, lovers of Bach's organ music should be interested, and those who enjoy Bach without being too keen on his organ work may well find themselves enjoying this as well.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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