Some Thoughts on Playing the Organ by Willem Tanke: Two versions of Bach's Fugie in F major from BWV 540

19/09/2017

Two versions of Bach's Fugie in F major from BWV 540

From my research: "Dancing Bach on the organ":

RAGE can be both destructive and creative. Regarding the performance of a toccata, prelude, fantasy or fugue with the sound of the full organ it can be transformed into force and majesty:

J.S. Bach - Fugue in F major from BWV 540

Re-listening to the above recording I found the performance too quick, not monumental enough. To improve this I imagined the legendary Dutch organist Feike Asma playing in a large church and feeling his presence:

J.S. Bach - Fugue in F major from BWV 540 (broader version)

About

As a classical organist I have been a prominent Messiaen and Reger interpreter since the '90s. Nowadays Bach interpretation is my main classical project. This is represented by my research "Dancing Bach on the organ". At the same time, as an improviser and a performing composer, I have been creating a new musical language which brings together musicians with avant-jazz, avant-pop, Western classical and traditional African and Asian backgrounds. I now relate this to my Bach interpretation.