Masaaki Suzuki, Christoph Treutmann organ (1737), Stiftskirche St. Georg, Grauhof

BIS Records ★★★★★

For this fifth volume of Suzuki’s impressive complete Bach series the focus is the second part of the Orgel-Büchlein. Like the previous volume, it is recorded on the historic Treutmann organ which is generally regarded as one of the finest representations of the north German organ sound from Bach’s time. Suzuki finds well balanced and colourful interpretations of each of the chorale preludes here. Alongside this are the Preludes and Fugues in C and D major and B minor, the latter taken at a rather sprightly tempo – one where the printed staccatos rather fight with the organ. That aside, Suzuki performs with his usual natural confidence and not afraid to revel in many flamboyant ornaments. The fugues too are transformed from mere contrapuntal ingenuity to virtuosic exuberance and yet in a way that would not be out of place in the early 18th century.

This review originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Choir & Organ magazine. Never miss an issue – subscribe today