Two historical quotations are included in the booklet about Bach's famous mastery of the organ playing. He could play with his feet, which many skilled organists could not even achieve with their hands. This was stated in Bach's obituary, written by his son Carl Philipp, among others. He could play endless long double vibrators with both feet at the same time, while his hands also did everything.
Thus a very strong story by Ernst Ludwig Gerber, which was not written down until 40 years after Bach's death. So that's four pedal keys played at the same time by rapidly alternating heel-toe movements of both feet, give it a try. They are quotes that fit nicely with this recital by James Johnstone on the Raphaëlis organ in Roskilde. Because if these fantastic organ works make something clear, then it is that Bach surpassed all his predecessors in terms of coordination of hands and feet. James Johnstone plays this music with great enthusiasm, often with quite spicy tempos. A previous CD (2016) by Johnstone with organ works by Bach (Clavier-Übung III) has been praised by the international press. 'This is not just fine organ-playing, but top-drawer keyboard-playing', says Gramophone about the earlier release. (HJ)more