Thanks Ben! Great to see that Kyrie in there - I just happened to play it this morning, glad it gets your thumbs up! I think I learnt it as it has a nice easy pedal part...!
Terrific video! Wonderful choices all. And I completely agree with you on the Passacaglia, BWV 582 as #1. I think it stands as one of the supreme masterpieces among ALL musical compositions of all time, not just among organ works (by Bach or anyone else).
Absolutely agree. Probably a tie with Bruckner's 8th Symphony on "number of times I've listened to them in their entirety" in my lifetime! (582 had a 7 year headstart lol)
Thank you so much ifor a fun learning video ! I will have to watch it a few times. I also like the Little Fugue ! Some wonderful pieces also in the Orgelbüchlein..
Loved the ending. Bach is my favourite composer. His music is just so wonderfully complex and yet perfectly formed. I fell for him when I was quite young and I heard a recording of the Prelude and Fuge in D minor. Yes, that one. I just had to find more. I hope Bach wrote it though its style is quite different from much of his other works. Keep up the good work. I will now go back to my Hauptwerk organ and try to learn some of Bach's wonderful work. Mike in Oz
So much fun to watch this video and see if my fav's made your top 10. Some did, others didn't. There are no wrong answers here-- but was pleasantly surprised with some of your picks. The A major, Schmücke dich (always makes me cry), Fantasia in G. I was captivated for your #1 reveal (and surprised). I might have given top 10 or honorable mentions to Wachet Auf, An Wasserflüssen Babylon, Alla Breve, maybe Bach-Liszt ich hatte viel bekümmernis (if that counts), the G-major Gigue Fugue (which you play in another video... just puts a smile on your face)... agree with a Bach-Vivaldi pick-- I would have gone with A Minor BWV 593. But we all have our favorites. Thank you for making this fun video! You are a great organist and Bach scholar. Can't wait to see your top 50! Agree with your conclusion on the D Minor. 🙂
Can't argue with any of your choices - it's an impossible task anyway. And thanks for several new and useful insights on the way. My only regret is that BWV 540 (T&F in F) didn't make it into the final ten. I have this picture of JSB going up to the organ loft one day - maybe with a group of pupils or friends - sitting down on the bench, giving the signal for the Calcant to start pumping, drawing handfuls of stops and then launching into rolling counterpoint and two long pedal solos going right from the bottom to the top of the pedalboard -JUST BECAUSE HE COULD. And then follow pages of rolling sequences and abrupt shifts of harmony to add to the excitement. And then that magisterial double fugue with the two themes worked together at the end and the main subject thundering out in the pedal ... the whole thing a joyous celebration of a God-given ability. As Goethe said, 'Dieser Leipziger Kantor ist eine Erscheinung Gottes'. Thanks once again.
BWV 671 is just insanely beautiful and daring and I wasn't aware of the the cyclic meaning of the cantus firmus in those three Kyrie-pieces of Clavierübung III. The ending is just so utterly harsh and intense. The six-voice fugue on 'Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir' BWV 686 is also really great though, completely overfulfilling any expectations you'd have for a stile-antico chorale fugue. I'm not aware of any piece of that period having a two-voice pedal either. I'd have a really hard time chosing between BWV 671 and BWV 686, it's like the ultimate dilemma, one is lush and shiny with a twist for the ages, the other just rolls over you with its sheer amount of voices and stretto-counterpoint.
That was hilarious Ben. I really enjoyed it. Number 6 I think was my favourite, cos it was the most familiar, next the D minor that you questioned Bach about, love that. Hope there's something special up your sleeve for 7 May.
Not just amusing, this was very interesting to me. I've only had some basic organ tuition many years ago and so am basically self-taught. I did attempt a few of the short preludes and fugues (which, I believe might not be by Bach) but I could never play these all the way through without mistakes. I once learned the 'Giant' fugue but I can't even play that now. So, after nearly 40 years playing the organ, Bach still scares me. This video has come at a good time for me, because I have just decided not to be frightened of Bach but actually learn some of his pieces now that I'm retired and have more time. Wish I could play the organ as well as you can. You are an inspiration to me. I know words like counterpoint, subject, counter-subject etc but I don't really understand the minute detail of Bach's music. Keep up the good work.
Passacaglia and fugue deserves no.1 spot. Much as I love St anne fugue, I only really got into it after finding out that it's a big fancy triple fugue.
Some pretty good also-rans include bwv651 the fantasia on komm heiliger Geist, 659 the adagio nun komm. Hard to leave out any of the preludes and fugues in G,g and a. You have tempted me to dust off the prelude in A
Intrigued to find what are the choice of a young talented organist. Since my acquaintance on Bach's organ works is limited to listening to H. Walcha's recordings which include BWV1080, my favorite ones are those composed in the later years of Bach.
Twenty-six minutes of sheer pleasure - you are an inimitable treasure, Ben (especially enjoyed your 'coyness' concerning BWV 565). Three quotes to top your raspberry blowing: “Music owes as much to Bach as religion to its founder” (Robert Schumann); “Bach is Bach, as God is God” (Hector Berlioz); “Bach is like an astronomer who, with the help of ciphers, finds the most wonderful stars” (Frédéric Chopin). Of course . . . Chopin was no organist or he would have known that no organ would dare 'cipher' when Bach was being played . . . And as for this upload? JSB would have seen a worthy successor in you to his (infamous) quote: ""If I decide to be an idiot, then I'll be an idiot on my own accord."
Too many to choose from! But some of my favourites are: Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV548 Fugue in B minor on a theme of Corelli BWV579 Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland BWV659
The theme for Bach's Passacaglia is from Raison's Trio and Passacaglia. Also, how could not include the awe inspiring Ricercare a 6? CHeck out this amazing version! th-cam.com/video/hwftBG1VLf8/w-d-xo.html
As a pianist.. Toccata, Adagio and Fugue Trio Sonata in C Prelude and Fugue in E Minor "The Wedge" Nun Komm BWV 180/7 Chorale "Schmucke dich" Prelude and Fugue A Minor BWV 543 Organ Concerto after Vivaldi in A Minor No. 1: Passacaglia and Fugue
I guess I'm old school, but here's my list: • Trio Sonata in C Major 529 • Prelude and Fugue in E flat Major 552 • Passacaglia and Fugue 582 • Prelude and Fugue D Major 532 • Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor 542 • Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue in C Major 564 • Concerto in G Major after Ernst 592 • Prelude and Fugue in A Minor 543 • Trio Sonata in G Major 530 • Prelude and Fugue in G Major 541 Honorable mention to these lighter and smaller works: • Schübler Choral #6 650 • Fugue in G Major "Gigue" 577 • Fugue in G Minor "Little" 578 The two other Toccatas and one Prelude would make the top list except they are let down by their fugues: • Toccata and Fugue in F 540 • Toccata and Fugue in D Minor "Dorian" 538 • Prelude and Fugue in C Major 547
I agree that it not always necesary to play all the Bach organ works on one registeration. It also depends on your audience. I admit htat I tend to gravitate toward the purist side. I have always so thought that one should strive in the very end be able to play your Bach on historical organs or a least organs build in an authentic baroque style.
Interesting, my list couldn't be more different. I'm not enough of a musician (in fact I'm not even a musician nor have played the classical guitar really in 2 years) for chorales so my choices are more from the well known pieces. 1) BWV 540. My absolute favy lately. Rest in no particular order: BWV 566, BWV 574 (noone knows this but its a very cool early piece, I just love minor) BWV 542, Trio Sonatas: ALL BWV 552, BWV 545, BWV 550, BWV 532, BWV 537 BWV 548, BWV 558, BWV 579
As you said at the end it's too hard to choose and the list always changes but for me here are the top 10 right now 10. BWV 721 Erbarm Dich Mein O Herr Gott 9. BWV 645 Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme 8. BWV 541 7. BWV 525 6. BWV 540 5. BWV 531 4. BWV 548 3. BWV 538 2. BWV 564 1. THE BEST prelude and fugue in my opinion BWV 543 in A minor
Its unfair to limit the number of one's favourite Bach organ works to just ten! As the greatest organ composer of all time - Reger, Messiaen, etc a long way behind! - there are dozens of masterpieces to choose from! The top 50 would do Bach greater justice!
Thanks for the background Ben - well produced young maestro. You are one crazy man - musicians have to have a sense of humour. Ben I was waiting for the Passacaglia and Fugue -glad you included it. How do you feel about starting the Passacaglia in PPP? It is such a brilliant piece. Love your playing and your sense of humour.
![J.S,Bach Organ Works Selection [ H.Walcha ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IbX3xado_V4/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow this Bach guy sure has a lot of potential for once I can't wait for future collabs
He was a bit of a menace, tbh
G Minor Fantasia and Fugue BWV 542 is one of my favourites and the final section of the St Anne Fugue is just glorious and very satisfying to play.
A young Genius church organist who not only plays Bach's music with grandiosity but also gives a perfect analysis😊
Fascinating and amusing chat...thanks Ben! The Passacaglia is certainly one of my favourites!
Thanks Ben! Great to see that Kyrie in there - I just happened to play it this morning, glad it gets your thumbs up! I think I learnt it as it has a nice easy pedal part...!
The end of 540 gets me every time.
Love your videos, young man. Keep up the great work!
Terrific video! Wonderful choices all. And I completely agree with you on the Passacaglia, BWV 582 as #1. I think it stands as one of the supreme masterpieces among ALL musical compositions of all time, not just among organ works (by Bach or anyone else).
Agreed!
Absolutely agree. Probably a tie with Bruckner's 8th Symphony on "number of times I've listened to them in their entirety" in my lifetime! (582 had a 7 year headstart lol)
Fantastic! Thank you. Keep them coming!
Stunning vid Ben, luv the series 🤌
Ta
My favourite Bach Pieces are "In dir ist Freude", Prelude and Fugue in E Flat major and the Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor.
Good choices Jan!
Kudos to such an amazing, funny, humorous introduction to Bach's organ works! Greetings from Cologne (Köln).👍🏾Well done!
Great video! Your #1 pick and mine are the same. Glad my taste is validated!
Brilliant Ben, playing and humour. 👍😁 xx
This is absolutely brilliant on so many levels. Bravo!
Fantastic! Really good considered choices, and pieces that I have had immense satisfaction playing over the years. Well done.
Brilliant Ben, playing and humour.⭐️😀xx
Well done, Ben! Full of interesting tidbits, insights and your typical humor!😊
Talented and very clever. Keep making us laugh!
Outstanding video, both educational and thoroughly entertaining. Couldn't agree more with BWV 582 in position #1.
Bach is simply the best. Quality video 👍
Thank you so much ifor a fun learning video ! I will have to watch it a few times. I also like the Little Fugue ! Some wonderful pieces also in the Orgelbüchlein..
Thanks Yves. The Little G minor fugue is really great 😀
Loved the ending. Bach is my favourite composer. His music is just so wonderfully complex and yet perfectly formed. I fell for him when I was quite young and I heard a recording of the Prelude and Fuge in D minor. Yes, that one. I just had to find more. I hope Bach wrote it though its style is quite different from much of his other works.
Keep up the good work. I will now go back to my Hauptwerk organ and try to learn some of Bach's wonderful work. Mike in Oz
There's a reason 565 has endured the test of time. Happy learning Mike!
So much fun to watch this video and see if my fav's made your top 10. Some did, others didn't. There are no wrong answers here-- but was pleasantly surprised with some of your picks. The A major, Schmücke dich (always makes me cry), Fantasia in G. I was captivated for your #1 reveal (and surprised). I might have given top 10 or honorable mentions to Wachet Auf, An Wasserflüssen Babylon, Alla Breve, maybe Bach-Liszt ich hatte viel bekümmernis (if that counts), the G-major Gigue Fugue (which you play in another video... just puts a smile on your face)... agree with a Bach-Vivaldi pick-- I would have gone with A Minor BWV 593. But we all have our favorites. Thank you for making this fun video! You are a great organist and Bach scholar. Can't wait to see your top 50! Agree with your conclusion on the D Minor. 🙂
Can't argue with any of your choices - it's an impossible task anyway. And thanks for several new and useful insights on the way. My only regret is that BWV 540 (T&F in F) didn't make it into the final ten. I have this picture of JSB going up to the organ loft one day - maybe with a group of pupils or friends - sitting down on the bench, giving the signal for the Calcant to start pumping, drawing handfuls of stops and then launching into rolling counterpoint and two long pedal solos going right from the bottom to the top of the pedalboard -JUST BECAUSE HE COULD. And then follow pages of rolling sequences and abrupt shifts of harmony to add to the excitement. And then that magisterial double fugue with the two themes worked together at the end and the main subject thundering out in the pedal ... the whole thing a joyous celebration of a God-given ability. As Goethe said, 'Dieser Leipziger Kantor ist eine Erscheinung Gottes'. Thanks once again.
Absolutely on point with #1! And I'm thrilled you included #4 and #3...and left out 565, lol.
BWV 671 is just insanely beautiful and daring and I wasn't aware of the the cyclic meaning of the cantus firmus in those three Kyrie-pieces of Clavierübung III. The ending is just so utterly harsh and intense.
The six-voice fugue on 'Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir' BWV 686 is also really great though, completely overfulfilling any expectations you'd have for a stile-antico chorale fugue. I'm not aware of any piece of that period having a two-voice pedal either. I'd have a really hard time chosing between BWV 671 and BWV 686, it's like the ultimate dilemma, one is lush and shiny with a twist for the ages, the other just rolls over you with its sheer amount of voices and stretto-counterpoint.
LOL! Bach's a gamer from Darby. You're insane...and I'm here for it 😂.
That was hilarious Ben. I really enjoyed it. Number 6 I think was my favourite, cos it was the most familiar, next the D minor that you questioned Bach about, love that. Hope there's something special up your sleeve for 7 May.
Lots of Coronation themed tunes planned
@@bloorganist Zadok? would be wonderful...if suitable
I love your video! I have played some of your top ten but you have given me reason to work on a couple of others. Thank you!
Not just amusing, this was very interesting to me. I've only had some basic organ tuition many years ago and so am basically self-taught. I did attempt a few of the short preludes and fugues (which, I believe might not be by Bach) but I could never play these all the way through without mistakes. I once learned the 'Giant' fugue but I can't even play that now. So, after nearly 40 years playing the organ, Bach still scares me. This video has come at a good time for me, because I have just decided not to be frightened of Bach but actually learn some of his pieces now that I'm retired and have more time. Wish I could play the organ as well as you can. You are an inspiration to me. I know words like counterpoint, subject, counter-subject etc but I don't really understand the minute detail of Bach's music. Keep up the good work.
Cheers! I love the Giant fugue. I used to approach Bach with a bit of trepidation, but the more you play, the easier it gets, promise!
Great . Everything.
Passacaglia and fugue deserves no.1 spot. Much as I love St anne fugue, I only really got into it after finding out that it's a big fancy triple fugue.
BWV 569 is my absolute favourite piece of organ music
Clavierübung Eb p&f is my all time number 1, especially in the All of Bach recording by Leo van Doeselaar.
Understandable!
Some pretty good also-rans include bwv651 the fantasia on komm heiliger Geist, 659 the adagio nun komm. Hard to leave out any of the preludes and fugues in G,g and a. You have tempted me to dust off the prelude in A
Passacaglia and fugue in c minor Warra piece 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Concise comment - Dorian Fugue.
Good choice. Excellent name Bert Speggly.
Intrigued to find what are the choice of a young talented organist. Since my acquaintance on Bach's organ works is limited to listening to H. Walcha's recordings which include BWV1080, my favorite ones are those composed in the later years of Bach.
Twenty-six minutes of sheer pleasure - you are an inimitable treasure, Ben (especially enjoyed your 'coyness' concerning BWV 565). Three quotes to top your raspberry blowing: “Music owes as much to Bach as religion to its founder” (Robert Schumann); “Bach is Bach, as God is God” (Hector Berlioz); “Bach is like an astronomer who, with the help of ciphers, finds the most wonderful stars” (Frédéric Chopin). Of course . . . Chopin was no organist or he would have known that no organ would dare 'cipher' when Bach was being played . . . And as for this upload? JSB would have seen a worthy successor in you to his (infamous) quote: ""If I decide to be an idiot, then I'll be an idiot on my own accord."
Too many to choose from! But some of my favourites are:
Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV548
Fugue in B minor on a theme of Corelli BWV579
Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland BWV659
The theme for Bach's Passacaglia is from Raison's Trio and Passacaglia. Also, how could not include the awe inspiring Ricercare a 6? CHeck out this amazing version! th-cam.com/video/hwftBG1VLf8/w-d-xo.html
As a pianist..
Toccata, Adagio and Fugue
Trio Sonata in C
Prelude and Fugue in E Minor "The Wedge"
Nun Komm
BWV 180/7 Chorale "Schmucke dich"
Prelude and Fugue A Minor BWV 543
Organ Concerto after Vivaldi in A Minor
No. 1: Passacaglia and Fugue
There’s no way that BWV 543 didn’t make it to this list. Possibly the most phenomenal work by Bach.
I would include Bach's Prelude and Fugue in B minor and Toccata and Fugue in D minor, the Dorian!
I guess I'm old school, but here's my list:
• Trio Sonata in C Major 529
• Prelude and Fugue in E flat Major 552
• Passacaglia and Fugue 582
• Prelude and Fugue D Major 532
• Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor 542
• Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue in C Major 564
• Concerto in G Major after Ernst 592
• Prelude and Fugue in A Minor 543
• Trio Sonata in G Major 530
• Prelude and Fugue in G Major 541
Honorable mention to these lighter and smaller works:
• Schübler Choral #6 650
• Fugue in G Major "Gigue" 577
• Fugue in G Minor "Little" 578
The two other Toccatas and one Prelude would make the top list except they are let down by their fugues:
• Toccata and Fugue in F 540
• Toccata and Fugue in D Minor "Dorian" 538
• Prelude and Fugue in C Major 547
The BWV 688 is also a really interesting one
My favorite is the whole German Organ Mass!
I agree that it not always necesary to play all the Bach organ works on one registeration. It also depends on your audience. I admit htat I tend to gravitate toward the purist side. I have always so thought that one should strive in the very end be able to play your Bach on historical organs or a least organs build in an authentic baroque style.
Love it, Ben! Thanks for including the (correct) Liebster Jesu, and for at least not making us listen to the St. Anne…..again…..
Mine? Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor for the win (does that make me boring?) 🙄😁
No! Cracking piece
@@bloorganist Yeh, I think I play that fugue to myself more than any other. That last five 'n a half bars though! 😍
Interesting, my list couldn't be more different. I'm not enough of a musician (in fact I'm not even a musician nor have played the classical guitar really in 2 years) for chorales so my choices are more from the well known pieces.
1) BWV 540. My absolute favy lately.
Rest in no particular order:
BWV 566,
BWV 574 (noone knows this but its a very cool early piece, I just love minor)
BWV 542,
Trio Sonatas: ALL
BWV 552,
BWV 545,
BWV 550,
BWV 532,
BWV 537
BWV 548,
BWV 558,
BWV 579
6:10 😂😂😂😂
As you said at the end it's too hard to choose and the list always changes but for me here are the top 10 right now
10. BWV 721 Erbarm Dich Mein O Herr Gott
9. BWV 645 Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme
8. BWV 541
7. BWV 525
6. BWV 540
5. BWV 531
4. BWV 548
3. BWV 538
2. BWV 564
1. THE BEST prelude and fugue in my opinion BWV 543 in A minor
bwv 542 537 and the prelude of 538 are my favorites
568, 571!??!
Oh, man... I'd have to have BWV 537, 543, 548, 552, 582, 542, 532, 539, 544, Tocatta of 538 with Fugue of 565. In no particular order.
Its unfair to limit the number of one's favourite Bach organ works to just ten! As the greatest organ composer of all time - Reger, Messiaen, etc a long way behind! - there are dozens of masterpieces to choose from! The top 50 would do Bach greater justice!
ermmm........... BWV 548???
Thanks for the background Ben - well produced young maestro. You are one crazy man - musicians have to have a sense of humour. Ben I was waiting for the Passacaglia and Fugue -glad you included it. How do you feel about starting the Passacaglia in PPP? It is such a brilliant piece. Love your playing and your sense of humour.
Starting the passacaglia quietly can certainly work. I prefer the 'all guns blazing' approach 😀
@@bloorganist You are the professional and I defer to your musicality - love your video.
C minor BWV 546 is not too bad!
The pipe organ would not be complete without the foot pedal playing along be with the keyboards!
BRO WHERE IS BWV540 TOCCATA F MAJOR???
BWV548
NO, fanatisa and fugue in G minor ? :( I swear that’s one of his greatest fugue works.
If you really want to smartpant around other musicians learn the correct german pronunciation of BACH. Ba-(friendly cat hissing) end.