Gramophone Magazine
January 2025
Editor's Choice

Masaaki Suzuki (organ)

Bach, J S: Fantasia super 'Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott', BWV651
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV652 'Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott'
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV653 'An Wasserflüssen Babylon'
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV654 'Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele'
Bach, J S: Trio super Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend, BWV 655
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV656 'O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig'
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV657 'Nun danket alle Gott'
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV658 'Von Gott will ich nicht lassen'
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV659 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland'
Bach, J S: Trio super 'Nun komm der Heiden Heiland', BWV660
Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV661 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland'

This sixth instalment of Masaaki Suzuki’s critically acclaimed complete organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach presents the first eleven pieces from a manuscript since referred to as the Leipzig Chorales. Conceived around 1739, this collection is unusual in that it contains no new compositions, but rather ‘reworkings’ of organ chorales dating from the years 1708–17, when Bach was in Weimar.

The chorale arrangements are based on established Lutheran melodies that particularly appealed to Bach. They were not intended as preludes for congregational singing, but rather as music to accompany the communion service or as concert music. Bach took great care with this project, selecting the best of his organ music from earlier in his career, and saw it as his legacy for the future. Together with the Orgel-Büchlein, the Schübler Chorales, and the third book of the Clavier-Übung, the Leipzig Chorales represent the pinnacle of Bach’s sacred organ music.

On this recording, Masaaki Suzuki plays the Arp Schnitger organ of the Martinikerk in Groningen, the Netherlands, one of the largest and most famous baroque organs in Northern Europe. Arp Schnitger was the most famous organ builder in northern Germany in the seventeenth century, and his admirers included Buxtehude, Handel, and Bach himself.

"As one might expect, the playing is flawless and meticulous without sounding contrived or sterile...A triumph of audio engineering, first-class playing and highly recommended." - Gramophone Magazine, January 2025