An impressive display

John O'Donnell plays Bach on the Ahrend organ in Monash University, Australia, reviewed by BASIL RAMSEY

Bach for Christmas. John O'Donnell, Jurgen Ahrend Organ, Monash University. © 2003 Tall Poppies Records

John O'Donnell presents an impressive display for his group of chorale preludes and the Piece d'Orgue [listen -- track 1, 0:00-1:23] on a well-chosen neo-classic instrument -- a 1980 Ahrend organ. Nearly thirty shortish pieces are a challenge to play with the qualities that reveal the tiny kernel of each. Bach can be played at times with a reverential awe that tends to choke the wonder of his creative power. But there is no trace of it here [listen -- track 11, 1:07-2:10].

Bach for Christmas

TP166 DDD Stereo 73'44" 2003 Tall Poppies Records

John O'Donnell, Jürgen Ahrend Organ at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

J S Bach: Pièce d'Orgue BWV572; Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her BWV700; Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her BWV738; Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her BWV701; Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her BWV606; Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her BWV769; In dulci jubilo BWV608; In dulci jubilo BWV729; Christum wir sollen loben schon BWV696; Christum wir sollen loben schon BWV611; Pastorella BWV590; Puer natus in Bethlehem BWV603; Vom Himmel kam der Engel Schar BWV607; Wir Christenleut BWV710; Wir Christenleut BWV612; Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ BWV697; Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ BWV604; Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ BWV722; Der Tag, der ist so Freudenreich BWV605; Jesu, meine Freude BWV610; Jesu, meine Freude BWV713; Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich BWV609; Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, allzugleich BWV732; Wie schön leuchtet uns der Morgenstern BWV739

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