Präludium und Fuge C-Dur BWV 547 (heard from the console)

The BWV 547 Präludium (9/8, 88 bars) and Fuge (à 5, alla breve, 72 bars) in C-Dur, BWV 547 is thought to have been composed in Leipzig around 1744, and almost certainly is later than any other similar Bach works known to us today, and the pairing between prelude and fugue was obviously integral from the beginning.

Dr. Albert Schweitzer saw in the prelude the vision of a "crowd moving along in solemn jubilation; Harvey Grace, and others have pointed out the thematic resemblances to the opening chorus of the Epiphany Cantata, "Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen," but that cantata was composed some 20 years earlier. E. Power Biggs thought the "carillon like" pedal part in the prelude "radiated the festive lights of Christmas," while Anton Heiller felt that this piece was about the Resurrection and Ascension.

The fugue is outstanding for the terseness of its distinctive subject, the tautness with which the fabric is consistently woven, the dramatic force of the long-delayed pedal entrance, and the well-nigh superhuman strength of the torrential flow of sheer energy which is guided, and, at the end, curbed, and all while sitting upon a long and triumphant tonic pedal. (some of these notes are from the writings of R. D. Darrell.)

I will upload two "versions" of the piece. This one is the sounds heard while sitting "at the console," while the 2nd upload will be from my "usual" listening point of 2/3 down the nave and "away" from the organ.

The registrations and manual changes are detailed and complete in the first comment.