Bach & Mendelssohn: The Organ Sonatas

Featuring

Hans-Eberhard Roß
Johann Sebastian Bach
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

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Compositional Technique

Bach's six Trio Sonatas are incredibly challenging for organists due to their three-part independence, constantly crossing parts between hands, and virtuoso pedal lines.

Compositional Technique

Mendelssohn's organ sonatas feature prominent and independent pedal solos in almost every movement, which was particularly striking given the shortened pedalboards of English organs at the time.

Instruments

The Goll organ of St. Martin in Memmingen, built in the late twentieth century, is a modern instrument designed to integrate Baroque and early Romantic timbres, making it suitable for different eras of organ music.

Composer Biography

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's exceptional pedal technique on the organ caused a sensation during his tours to Britain and in Germany, a skill he developed through extensive practice.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy intended his six organ sonatas to be an 'organ school' or tutor, similar in pedagogical purpose to Johann Sebastian Bach's six organ sonatas.

Performer Biography

Hans-Eberhard Roß, the organist on this album, is the choirmaster of St. Martin in Memmingen and has received the 'Kulturpreis' of Memmingen and the 'Goll Medal' for his services to the Goll organ.

Composition History

Johann Sebastian Bach composed his six Trio Sonatas between 1727 and 1732 for his eldest son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, to help him develop into a great organist.