Eric Plutz, the organist, uses registration (selecting combinations of sounds) sparingly, despite electricity making kaleidoscopic tonal shifts possible, to articulate Bach's extraordinary sense of musical form.
Compositional Technique
J. S. Bach's Preludes, Toccatas, Fantasias, and Fugues for organ are considered peak artistic achievements, combining harmonic and melodic beauty, visceral force, and intellectual ingenuity.
Instruments
The organ used for this recording in Princeton University Chapel is a large instrument with 137 ranks and 7,897 pipes, built by E. M. Skinner, Æolian-Skinner, and N. P. Mander.
Recording & Production
The recording took place in Princeton, New Jersey, on July 19-20, 2022, and features an encore track, Sinfonia from Cantata 29 arranged by Marcel Dupré, available digitally.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album's program, performing Bach's organ masterpieces in diatonic order (A, B, C, etc.), aligns with Bach's own deep sense of order.
Performer Biography
Eric Plutz is the University Organist at Princeton University, where he plays for weekly services, academic ceremonies, and solo concerts, and is also a Lecturer in Music and Instructor of Organ.
