Bach - ‘Gigue’ Fugue in G major BWV 577 // Krzeszów Engler

The famous Fuge (or Fugue) à la Gigue BWV 577, better known as the 'Jig' Fugue is one of Johann Sebastian Bach's most famous pieces of organ music. For many years, the work was thought to be a misattribution but scholars now largely agree that Bach was indeed the author. Named for its lively subject, in a jig rhythm, it was perhaps inspired by Buxtehude's similar setting, BuxWV 174. Given that it is thought be one of Bach's earlier works (possibly whilst working at Arnstadt) the link with Buxtehude's setting seems plausible given that Bach famously walked 280 miles to Lübeck to study with his idol. Lovely though Buxtehude's fugue is, Bach's is superior; his bravura setting with its energetic pedal line, itself almost like dancing a jig, builds the rhythmic tension right to the conclusion of the piece.
Recordings this piece are abundant in number, many with racing speeds which would seemingly make dancing to this music impossible. Here, I've tried to find a more measured pace, appropriate to the acoustic of the Basilica in Krzeszów and the music, taking inspiration from Ton Koopman's performance, which is also available on TH-cam.
Michael Engler's 1737 organ in Krzeszów Basilica (sampled by Sonus Paradisi) is one of the many jewels of European organs and well suited to the music of Bach with its rich foundations and crowning mixtures. The meantone temperament makes for some interesting chords in the central sections!
Organ detail: www.sonusparadisi.cz/en/organ...
#hauptwerk #sonusparadisi #krzeszow
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Thank you for watching. 😀
Marcus

[@lyndon1904]

Great playing, Marcus - it makes a refreshing change to hear this played at a musical and appropriate tempo, and not just treated as a technical display.

[@MarcusReeves]

Thanks so much, Lyndon. I feared being criticised for taking it too slowly but I do think some people play it too fast. I think I read somewhere that a jig should be danced at around 92bpm and I think this is somewhere around that.

[@robertomartucci636]

Bravo Marco!

[@MarcusReeves]

Thank you!

[@RalphLooij]

Very nice to hear it as this tempo. I think valuable cases can be made for different tempi (as often with Bach), but I agree that dancing is a lot easier in this tempo :) Well played, Marcus!

[@MarcusReeves]

Thank you, Ralph! 😀

[@grahamtwist]

Fabulous, Marcus! This measured tempo ensures we can hear the rich interplay of the voices in the generous acoustic this magnificent instrument speaks into. A great sample set and a superb performance: bravo!

[@MarcusReeves]

Wow, thank you very much!

[@rogernowacki6846]

Your tempo and mastery add up to a delightful performance! Keep up the good work.

[@MarcusReeves]

Thank you very much! 🤩

[@Xilley1]

A beautiful performance of a beautiful piece on a beautiful organ, truly amazing, Keep it up!

[@MarcusReeves]

Thank you very much!

[@nakorganist]

Fantastic Marcus, this sample is very nice and it's a really great interpretation! Many thanks for the beautiful recording! Best regards, Roland

[@MarcusReeves]

Thanks very much, Roland.

[@jerrymartin79]

Bravo Marcus! I really enjoyed hearing it at this tempo. Lovely registration and articulation!

[@MarcusReeves]

Thanks, Jerry. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@james.flores]

Congratulations on this recording, Marcus! It's an incredible achievement to play the 577. I like your measured tempo also.

[@MarcusReeves]

Thank you very much, James! I thought it was time to put something “meaty” on the channel.

[@howardbaitcher5464]

Outstanding Marcus!

[@MarcusReeves]

Thank you! ☺️

[@SteinMarkus]

Bravo! Great Interpretation

[@MarcusReeves]

Many thanks!

[@freddoliveira]

🙂

[@MarcusReeves]

☺️

[@bachkirche]

I am glad scholars have finally given this piece back the Bach. Some suggest it was written in Lueneburg. Anyway I never doubted it to be Bach. And I most certainly rejected the claim that it was written by Krebbs (hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!)