Bach: Complete Organ Works Vol. 5 Sonatas / Trios / Concertos - ed. by Pieter Dirksen Organ Works Based on Compositions by Bach and Others Genres such as sonata, trio and concerto were initially uncommon in the keyboard music of the early 18th century. Thus it comes as no surprise that many of the pieces in this volume are arrangements by Bach of original compositions and of works by other composers. Next to the Sonatas BWV 525?530 and the Concertos or concerto movements based on pieces by other composers BWV 592?596, the volume also contains the Trio in D minor BWV 583, the Trio settings BWV 585?587 as well as the early versions of BWV 527 and 528. Moreover, the CD-ROM offers eight arrangements of trio movements by Bach made by others. In his detailed introduction, Pieter Dirksen discusses various aspects of these pieces' origins, inasmuch as they help us better understand the works. The organist will especially welcome the comments on performance practice and registration. It is precisely the fact that these works derive from chamber-music models that leads to individual considerations for each work group.

Josef Rheinberger (b. 1839 d. 1901) was a prolific composer in almost every field but he found in the Organ the medium best fitted to his genius and temperament. This seems to be proved by the fact that his reputation as an Organ composer has grown and is now firmly established whereas his position in other branches has declined. His twenty sonatas and his numerous shorter pieces (about a hundred) make up one of the most important contributions to the Organ repertory. It may indeed be claimed that in the maintenance of a high level of quality and interest throughout a long series of works of both large and small scale his position as an Organ composer issecond only to that of Bach. Sonata No. 19:The G minor Sonata is one of a small proportion of the twenty - No. 15 in D is another - concerning whose merits players are divided. It does not meet one half-way. It is the longest of the twenty: some monotony inevitably results from the use of the key of G for all its movements : its difficulties are of the ungrateful type : and the vigour of its first movement is often rough-even harsh. Yet it appears to be among the favourites of those who know it well; the late Dr. G. J. Bennett (a pupil of Rheinberger's and a devotee of the Sonatas) placed it among the best of the later numbers. Sonata No. 20:In spite of some inequalities No. 20 makes a worthy end to a fine series. Rheinberger's failing health at the time of its composition is no doubt responsible for a few moments of indecision especially in the Finale. The invention shows little if any falling off. In all the sonatas there are few better themes of the broad diatonic type than that which opens the first movement ; and the pleasant tunes of the Intermezzo and Pastoral and the swinging subject of the Finale are in the true Rheinberger vein. But the lack of a substantial fugal section is felt: it might well have come as a central portion of the Finale which

From 1772 onward Mozart wrote 17 short single movement works called Epistle Sonatas designed to be played in the Eucharist service between the Epistle and the Gospel. The Epistle Sonata in C (K.336) was the last of these written in 1780. Shortly afterwards the Archbishop decreed that a motet or hymn should be sung instead and they fell into disuse. The Epistle Sonata in C was originally scored for two Violins Basso Continuo and Baroque Organ. It has been arranged for solo Organ (with pedals) by Nigel Davison.

Sonata I (BWV 525) Sonata II (BWV 526) Sonata III (BWV 527). Edited by Walter Emery and John Bower.

Arranged after the Piano Sonata by Martin Schmeding-Having been sceptical towards the church and religion all his life Edvard Grieg composed only a few works with sacred influence. There exist some study fugues from his student days which are reminiscent of an organ performance.This arrangement of the Piano Sonata in E minor Opus 7 is based on the original text. Every arrangement should aim at creating a balance between the original musical text and the possibilities of the chosen instrument while the composer strives for the greatest possible approximation to the original and at the same time to a setting suitable for the Organ.This not only requires the distribution of notes on manuals andpedals but also small adjustments in the musical text in order to make for example Piano pedal effects or figurations sound convincing on the Organ.

The Sonata in A Minor is in classic three movement form moderato con moto adagio espressivo and maestoso.Twentieth century English composer conductor chorister and Organist William H Harris was Organist at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and was conductor for the coronations of Queen Elizabeth II and her father King George VI. His work was performed at the Three Choirs Festival and the Proms though he was best known as a choir trainer.

Domenico Scarlatti's Sonata In B Minor arranged here for Organ by Patrick Williams.

Howells' Second Sonata for Organ. In three movements and dedicated to George Thalben-Ball.