By DL93385
02-Jun-2011

Superb Organ Disc  

This disc is the perfect storm for organ enthusiasts: Great composer - Bach; Great music - BWV 592, 593, 596, 594, 595, 1065, 589; Great instrument - Paul Fritts Organ Opus 20 (2000) at Princeton Theological Seminary; and Great artist - Joan Lippincott. Add to that impressive list an incredible recording that will surely rattle your walls (or windshield) when the largest pipes (lowest pedals) start sounding, and you truly have a disc to be treasured and set to repeat. Lippincott's playing is true to the music, her tempo is steady, and her skills are masterful. I love this disc!
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By WH99400
23-Jan-2012

Amazing Organ Playing  

I have heard about the abilities of Joan Lippincott, but in this recording she comes across as a performer in full and complete control of her instrument. These are not simple throw-away pieces… far from it. The program consists of transcriptions of concertos written for instruments other than the organ, but under Bach’s incredibly capable pen you would never know it. Being Bach, it takes the pieces and enhances them in ways the original composers would have likely found astonishing – case in point, “Concerto in G Major, BWV 592” originally written by Johann Ernst for Violin, Strings, and Continuo. As indicated in the excellent liner notes, Bach assigned the violin part to one manual, the tutti sections to another manual and pedal, at times calling for double pedal to free the hands for the violin lines. And when Ms. Lippincott plays it, it sounds so effortless and natural that the average listener would have no idea of the enormity of what was done.

Every concerto on this disc is played vibrantly, with fine technique and rock-solid footwork. The 2nd to last piece on the disc is a transcription by Dr. Lippincott herself of the Concerto for four Harpsichords and Strings, and the quality of playing is just exceptional. The instrument is the Paul Fritts Organ Opus 20 at Princeton Theological Seminary and the quality of the recording is very good indeed. This is wonderful music, expertly performed. Highly recommended!
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