Jörg Halubek

Steinberg (1796) and Geising (1755) organs, Dresden

Berlin Classics/Edel Music 0303285BC ★★★★

This is an interesting release for showcasing two lovely smaller organs of the Silbermann type in the Dresden area, both very typical of this sort of instrument, with few reed stops, and clarity and brilliance of fluework. That Bach would have known similar organs by his friend Silbermann is indisputable, although they are not so typical of organs in his home region of Thuringia. The recording is excellent, and the intimate nature of the relatively small churches is captured very well. The first disc on the Steinberg organ opens with the D minor Vivaldi Bach concerto, a vivacious first movement, and Halubek’s use of both organs is highly intelligent and musical, if sometimes in slow movements needing more sense of forward movement. To record all six of the Trio Sonatas is a challenge, and they are given very compelling performances here, and within the restrictions of the two organs Halubek manages to find very successful registrations.

Inevitably there is much duplication of pedal registrations, as these organs only have quite small departments compared to the manuals – very typical of the region, and the same right down into Bohemia. The tremulants on both organs work beautifully, and used with some of the lovely flutes and strings in slow movements remind one of Bach’s desire to have a working tremulant! It is interesting that the earlier organ on CD2 has an Unda maris to gently beat out of tune with the viola di gamba, heard to great effect in the middle section of the first movement of the A minor Vivaldi Bach concerto which closes this whole programme on the Geising organ. Of the Trio Sonatas my favourite would be the second in C minor here, given a fine performance of all three movements, and with more variety of colour than he uses in the others. Whatever registration Halubek chooses for the trios, they always balance, and the parts can be heard clearly, which is very musically satisfying. Given these two lovely organs, and 10 or more minutes still available on each CD, it might have been nice to perhaps include a short chorale prelude between the trios? Nevertheless, an interesting and enjoyable release.