Arrived: January 2017.
First listen: 27-1-2017.
Label: Brilliant.
CD 1 from 15.
Recording dates: April/May 2013.
Recording venue: Stadtkirche "Zur Gotteshilfe"Waltershausen, Germany.
Recording engineer: Simone Bellucci.
Running time: 77:38.
Classical relevance: As yet not sure.
Works performed:
BWV 543/736/525/767/735/526/541.
Works performed by:
Stefano Molardi.
Instrument used:
T.H.G.Trost Organ. (1722-?1741) Waltershausen.
Applied pitch.
Modified meantone temperament.
Pitch: A=466 Hz at 15 degrees celsius.
The first thing which I can say safely, is that the organ is a fantastic instrument and well suited to Bach's Organ music. Furthermore the recording by Simone Bellucci is excellent. The booklet only gives info about the organs used in this set with pictures of the instruments. Extensive liner notes are available at Brilliant for download. It's in outlook a basic set, nothing to get exited about.
As to Molardi playing Bach, well that is food for discussion. On a technical level Molardi is well up the task before him. His musical integrity is a factor in this recording to respect. Whether or not he is the man to record Bach is another question and one which is not easily answered. My first reaction to what I have heard is neither favourable nor dismissive. It is as if these performances have little personality, or for that matter an individual stamp that marks the style of Molardi. Not entirely faceless, but neither does it inspire enthusiasm as I have in other sets. The dynamics he applies are adequate, but rather stiff in the loins if it comes to musical expression, almost static even. It is simply unclear where Molardi wants us to go. Sure it is well delivered, but it does not thrill me. Matter of fact then? Yes a bit, but that's not the whole issue.
It is certainly Bach that will please many, but can it hold it's own against all competition? For now I am still sceptical, and will see what's awaits me further on in this set. None of the pieces struck me as memorable, but maybe I simply have to hear it more than once.
The instrument is fantastic, and is well recorded.
