Kevin Bowyer, on the Marcussen Organ of Sct.Hans Kirke, Odense, Denmark
NIMBUS RECORDS NI5700/1
2 hrs 28'0"
www.wyastone.co.uk

With the supposed demise of Nimbus Records almost two years ago I was surprised but happy to find the fifteenth volume of Kevin Bowyer's outstanding survey of J. S. Bach organ works laid at my feet. Not having time to listen to the whole two discs complete upon opening the package I thought I would try the first track or two to remind me of what we have been missing. The opening Partita: Ach, was soll ich snder machen?, BWV 770, made the whole disc unputdownable and 73 minutes and 43 seconds later, I became aware that I would be late for my next appointment.

Bowyer's pace, musicality and his ability to colour each of the works on these discs with remarkable variety and crystal clarity, marked in the series as a whole, bring this music an unrivalled immediacy. The Marcussen organ has a magical quality, too, that supports the range of works recorded here. The programme is too exhaustive to list but also includes the Rinck Chorales, Sonata in D, BWV 963 and the Suite in F, BWV 820.

This is a recording that one could talk about until the cows come home; better not to talk but simply listen, then my argument for its inclusion in your collection will become instantaneously apparent!
DA