David Ponsford, on the 1990 Peter Collins organ of Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh
GUILD GMCD 7262/3
2CDs, 2hrs 3'6"
www.guildmusic.com

Bach's Clavierbung is an excellent vehicle to demonstrate the qualities of Peter Collins' organ in Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh. Built on the Werkprinzip system and tuned using the 1724 Neidhardt temperament it combines the outstanding qualities of a new instrument with the tonal glories of an early baroque organ.

David Ponsford uses the full organ for the 'greater' settings and the Positive alone for the 'lesser' settings thus allowing us to compare the more intimate, because closer, tones of the Positive to the richer nobility of the full organ.

I particularly enjoyed the delicacy of his playing for Allein Gott in der Hoh sie Her BWV675 and the clarity he achieves in the Fuga a 5 con pedale BWV552.

While technically excellent there is nothing clinically academic about the playing, the heart of each piece emerging as the musical line unfolds. This is particularly true of the Partita diverse sopra Sei gegrusset, Jesu gutig BWV768, which rises to a finely dramatic conclusion - a tribute to organ and performer alike.
BH