Johann Sebastian BACH, Toccatas

Although a few principal types can be distinguished from among the freely composed works for organ, the terminology is unable to establish impassable borders between the prelude, the toccata and the fantasy. In Bach's case, each represents, above all, a type of composition that allowed him to approach the limits of keyboard playing outside a strict formal framework.

  Whether as organist or harpsichordist, LÉON BERBEN can be considered a master in his field. His extensive knowledge of music history and historical performance practice make him one of the leading figures within the younger generation of the early music world. His repertoire embraces keyboard music from 1550 to 1770, in particular German music, the Virginalists and Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. He is the co-author of various articles in Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart. His interpretations are given special weight by intensive study of the sources, and constant research work, and his solo recordings on historic instruments have received great critical acclaim, winning several awards including the Diapason d'or, Monde de la Musique's "Choc", as well as the German quaterly Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik. Léon Berben was born in 1970 in Heerlen, The Netherlands, and lives in Cologne. He gained his solo diploma in organ and harpsichord in Amsterdam and The Hague, studying with Rienk Jiskoot, Gustav Leonhardt, Ton Koopman and Tini Mathot. He was the harpsichordist for Musica Antiqua Köln (Reinhard Goebel) from March, 2000, with whom he performed throughout Europe, Asia and North and South America, and recorded many CDs with Deutsche Grammophon / Archiv Produktion. Since the dissolution of the ensemble in 2006, he has pursued a solo career, appearing in several of the most prestigious international festivals.

www.leonberben.org

CD 1 — pedaliter		CD 2 — manualiter
Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565)		1. Toccata in G minor (BWV 915)
1. Toccata and Fugue
		2. Toccata in C minor (BWV 911)
Prelude and Fugue in D major (BWV 532)
2. Prelude		3. Toccata in D minor (BWV 913)
3. Fugue
		4. Toccata in D major (BWV 912)
Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 538)
4. Toccata		5. Toccata in F-sharp minor (BWV 910)
5. Fugue
		Toccata in G major (BWV 916)
Toccata and Fugue in F major (BWV 540 1a/2)		6. [–] 2:29
6. Toccata		7. Adagio
7. Fugue		8. Allegro e presto
Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major (BWV 564)		9. Adagio from Toccata in G major
8. Toccata		(BWV 916)
9. Adagio
10. Fugue		10. Toccata in E minor (BWV 914)
Prelude and Fugue in E major (BWV 566)		11. Toccata in A major
11. Prelude		(BWV Anh. III 178)
12. Fugue
13. [Interlude]
14. [Fugue]