Bach is widely considered the greatest composer who wrote for the organ – for many, his organ music is the heart and soul of the instrument’s repertoire. And his most famous organ work, the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, has perhaps the most arresting opening statement of any piece of music ever written – the opening three notes are recognised by billions of people around the world.
So, what better piece is there with which to explore the pipe organ and its music?
This playlist contains extracts from the Fugue State Film’s documentary The Great Toccata. Together, these short films:
The playlist concludes with a remarkable performance of Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 by Dan Moult, filmed by Fugue State Films on perhaps the best Bach-organ in the world, the Martinikerk in Groningen.
The short films in this playlist have been taken from The Great Toccata series by Fugue State Films. In addition to the documentary, the series includes benchmark performances by Daniel Moult of the Toccata in C (BWV 566a), the Preludes and Fugues in A minor (BWV 543), D major (BWV 532) and the Trio Sonata in G major (BWV 530), plus a selection of chorale preludes, all played on two of the finest organs in the world, the Martinikerk in Groningen and the Petruskerk in Leens. Visit www.fuguestatefilms.co.uk for details.
Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, is arguably the most iconic piece ever written for the organ. But did Bach actually write ‘565’?
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Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565, is arguably the most iconic piece ever written for the organ. But did Bach actually write ‘565’? If not, then who did? Was it written for the organ? Is it even a Toccata and Fugue?
In this extract from the Fugue State Film’s documentary The Great Toccata, presenter Dan Moult outlines the mysteries and questions behind the organ’s most famous piece.
Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor is so famous that it has been widely performed not just by organists but by everyone from violinists to military bands.
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Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor is so famous that it has been widely performed not just by organists but by everyone from violinists to military bands.
In this extract from the Fugue State Film’s documentary The Great Toccata, presenter Dan Moult looks at the wide range of organs available to play this music, how else this music has been performed.
Having concluded that the organ is the definitive instrument on which to perform Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Dan Moult goes in search of the perfect Bach organ.
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Having concluded that the organ is the definitive instrument on which to perform Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Dan Moult goes in search of the perfect Bach organ.
In this extract from the Fugue State Film’s documentary The Great Toccata, Dan finds what he is looking for in the Netherlands, and explains what it is that makes the organ of the Martinikerk in Groningen so well suited to this music.
If Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor is so famous, how can we not know for sure whether it was even written by Bach?!
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If Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor is so famous, how can we not know for sure whether it was even written by Bach?!
In this extract from the Fugue State Film’s documentary The Great Toccata, presented Dan Moult tracks down an early manuscript of this unique piece of music and explores the challenges of tracing early music back to its original composer.
Everyone knows Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Everyone loves Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor! But why?!
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Everyone knows Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Everyone loves Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor! But why?!
In this extract from the Fugue State Film’s documentary The Great Toccata, presenter Dan Moult discusses what it is about this short piece of music that has driven its huge global popularity.
In this film, Fugue State Films and Daniel Moult share a superb filmed performance of this iconic work, on perhaps the best Bach-organ in the world, the Martinikerk in Groningen.
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In this film, Fugue State Films and Daniel Moult share a superb filmed performance of this iconic work, on perhaps the best Bach-organ in the world, the Martinikerk in Groningen.
These short films on First Stop! have been taken from The Great Toccata series by Fugue State Films. In addition to the documentary, the series includes benchmark performances by Daniel Moult of the Toccata in C (BWV 566a), the Preludes and Fugues in A minor (BWV 543), D major (BWV 532) and the Trio Sonata in G major (BWV 530), plus a selection of chorale preludes, all played on two of the finest organs in the world, the Martinikerk in Groningen and the Petruskerk in Leens. Visit www.fuguestatefilms.co.uk for details.
