- Transcription has always been a widespread musical practice, following the desire to arrange pieces originally written for an instrumental and/or vocal ensemble for an instrument like the organ or harpsichord or, later, the piano. The eighteenth century was a very fertile period for transcriptions, reaching its pinnacle among Johann Sebastian Bach’s circle. The transcriptions Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) made during his time in Weimar are both for organ (three concertos by Vivaldi and two by Johann Ernst IV. of Saxe-Weimar) and an astonishing 14 for harpsichord (by various Italian composers).
- Also today musicians transcribe Bach’s music for their own instrument. On this new recording organist Wolfgang Rübsam transcribed two of Bach’s most famous orchestral works for the organ: the Orchestral Suites Nos. 2 BWV 1067 and 3 BWV 1068, containing such famous and popular works like the Air and the Badinerie. In between we hear one of the pinnacles of classical music, the iconic Chaconne from Partita No. 2 BWV 1004, originally written for violin solo, running in its 15 minutes the complete gamut of human emotions, from the deepest despondency to utter bliss and consolation.
- Rübsam’s arrangements are full of colour and imagination, based on his deep knowledge and experience as an organist, keyboard player and true musician.
- Played on the Casavant, Opus 3762 organ (1998) at the Church of St. Louis, King of France, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
