J.S. BACH/W. T. BEST (1826-1897): Chaconne in D Minor from Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin, BWV 1004, Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 533, Passacaglia in C Minor, BWV 582, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565, Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, BWV 564, Chorale Preludes: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731, Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 709, Herzlich thut mich verlangen, BWV 727, Herr Gott, nun schleuss den Himmel auf, BWV 617, Vater unser im Himmelreich, BWV 636, Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, BWV 648.

Description: Best was one of Bach's most enthusiastic evangelizers in Victorian England, not only editing and publishing 18 volumes of Bach's complete organ works before his death but also by leaving arrangements of selected organ works (and the famous violin Chaconne) with specific directions in terms of tempo, articulation, registration, selection of manuals and use, where appropriate, of the swell pedal, to make Bach's works into poetic and dramatic scenas or ballads. The organist here not only follows these but also takes a few of Best's indications further on the new Klais organ in Karlsruhe than Best's Victorian organs could go. Carsten Wiebusch (Klais organ of Christuskirche, Karlsruhe). SACD hybrid