Volume 4
The Power and the Glory

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHThe greatest Baroque Composers:

Johann Sebastian Bach
- Organ Music

DANIEL CHORZEMPA, organ

CD 454 406-2
PHILIPS

- When the church authorities in the Thuringian town of Arnstadt entrusted the incredibly talented Bach with the post of organist, they had no idea what awaited them. The 18-year-old took literally the "fear of the Lord, temperance, accommodating spirit and avoidance of bad company" demanded of him. But there was no question of "loyal conduct towards the high authorities." He refused to attend choir rehearsals, allowed an "unknown maiden" to sing a solo and exchanged blows with a chorister following an argument. He was permitted to make an educational trip to Lübeck to hear the famous organist Buxtehude, but extended this by 12 weeks, whereafter he bewildered the devout congregation with what he had learnt: between the verses of the chorales he inserted lengthy improvisations. Having been suitably admonished, he went to the other extreme and was rebuked for having made it too short. When he left the town after four years, his superiors crossed themselves three times.