James Gough(organ)

Bach’s first biographer, J N Forkel, wrote in 1802: “Six Sonatas or Trios for two manuals and obbligato pedal, Bach produced them for his eldest son Wilhelm Friedmann, who had to prepare himself by this means to become the great organ player that he was afterwards. One cannot say enough of their beauty. They were made during the composer’s most mature age and can be looked upon as his chief work of this kind.” This reading by James Gough displays the unique colours of the Rieger organ at Clifton Cathedral. An entirely mechanical instrument (apart from the blower), it responds exactly to every inflection of the player’s hands and feet – skating on thin ice with these intricate and demanding works, one could say. The rewards to the player and listener are tremendous when the synthesis is right, as you will hear.