J.S. Bach: Harmonic Seasons

Featuring

Manuel Tomadin
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Album & Artwork

This album presents a selection of Bach's organ compositions arranged according to the concept of 'Harmonic Seasons,' consisting of 12 compositions divided into four seasons, each with three pieces.

Instruments

The Treutmann organ, built by Christoph Treutmann (the Elder) in 1737, is his largest and most elaborate instrument, and it has survived almost unchanged through time.

Recording & Production

The album provides an opportunity to hear the 1737 Treutmann organ, located in the Monastery Church in Grauhof, Germany, which is considered one of the most impressive ancient instruments ever built.

Instruments

The Treutmann organ features elegant and rare Viola da Gamba stops (8' and 16') and powerful 32' stops in the pedal, which were said to produce a sound similar to a rumbling thunderstorm.

Composer's Artistic Vision

J.S. Bach's music is seen as transforming doctrine into music, creating pieces that still evoke strong feelings, and demonstrating a musical symbolism illustrating main dogmatic ideas.

Album & Artwork

The 'Harmonic Seasons' concept on this album is based on the harmonic series, where playing G, E, and C together forms a perfect triad, and tonalities are grouped by season (G major for the first three, E minor for the next three, C minor for the following three, and C major to conclude).

Composer's Artistic Vision

Bach's compositions, particularly his contrapuntal cycles like the Orgelbüchlein and Clavier-übung, reflect a historical period where Alchemy, Chemistry, Astronomy, and Mathematics were fundamental to the divine quest.