Sounds

Bach: Passacaglia in C-minor

Bach organ drama BWV 582

Bach: Passacaglia in C-minor

J.S. Bach, Passacaglia & Fugue in C-minor, BWV 582

This is long-form organ drama written with the full-throated intensity of a young Bach. His expressive powers were first peaking.

Performed by Jonathan Scott on the Rieger Pipe Organ of St. Mary's Basilica (Bazyliki Mariackiej), Kraków, Poland

I write “long-form” because the piece will demand 14 minutes of your time. We live in an era where that is “long form” drama. The last two minutes build to an energetic and spectacular resolution.

And for contrast, here is a spirited performance by Cameron Carpenter, equally enjoyable: