Composers

• Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750)

Works

• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV652 'Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV653 'An Wasserflüssen Babylon'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV654 'Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV656 'O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV657 'Nun danket alle Gott'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV658 'Von Gott will ich nicht lassen'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV659 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV661 'Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV662 'Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV663 'Allein Gott in der höh sei Ehr'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV665 'Jesu Christus, unser Heiland'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV666 'Jesus Christus, unser Heiland'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV667 'Komm, Gott Schöpfer, heiliger Geist'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Preludes III, BWV651-668 'Leipzig Chorales' ('The Great Eighteen')
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV653b 'An Wasserflüssen Babylon'
• Bach, J S: Chorale Prelude BWV668 'Vor deinen Thron tret' ich'
• Bach, J S: Fantasia super 'Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott', BWV651
• Bach, J S: Trio super 'Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr', BWV664
• Bach, J S: Trio super 'Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend', BWV655
• Bach, J S: Trio super 'Nun komm der Heiden Heiland', BWV660

Recording was made using Walcker Riga Dome Cathedral pipe organ in 2012.

“Knyazev is an artist who possesses great musicality, an original turn of mind and a formidably accomplished technique,” according to an authoritative reviewer of BBC Music Magazine. The musician graduated from Moscow Conservatory specialising in the cello and from Nizhny Novgorod Conservatory as an organist. In the first years of his concert activity Knyazev was primarily known for his cello skills, however, later he showed himself in both areas of performing art.

Bach’s organ and cello works have always been a major focus of the performer’s interest. “I am seeking for an interpretation of Bach’s music that should first and foremost be very vivid,” Knyazev reveals, “I believe the genius of Bach’s music is in its being extremely modern. We should by no means treat it as a museum artefact.” Reviewers and public alike also equally appreciated his performance of “The Art of Fugue” and six suites for unaccompanied cello.

The CD includes 18 “Leipzig Chorales,” recorded by Alexander Knyazev in 2012 using one of the best European organs – the one in the Riga Cathedral. This collection, which comprises chorale preludes composed by Bach in the 1720s–1740s in Leipzig, summarized Bach’s work in this genre. Many of the chorales presented are marked by large scale of form, enhanced dynamic contrasts and density of sound. The last three preludes were dictated by the totally blind composer to his disciples…