Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565

The Toccata and Fugue BWV 565 was the first piece I ever learned to play on the organ, and to this day it holds a very special place in my heart.

Regardless of the popular opinion about it, I believe adamantly that it is not a "Draculesque" piece by itself (only by virtue of its cinematic usage). As I often say in my concerts, the improvisation-reminiscent Toccata is a doleful soliloquy of an almost Shakespearean grandeur, whereas the fugue can almost be imagined to describe a novel-worthy adventure in musical form, and its final plagal cadence brings the journey to its close with a Grand "Amen" filling the space with light and power as if from the gates of Heaven themselves.

Though, of course, it does not bear the marks of maturity for which the composer's later works are justly acclaimed (such as the A minor P&F), it still showcases Bach's genius and foreshadows his bright future, and deserves much respect.

As for the sampleset, the Esztergom organ makes for a very emotional and majestic, if somewhat unorthodox, reading of the work. Since I am also working on BWV 543 on the same organ, it is clear to me that it is far from impossible to play and enjoy playing Bach on it.

Happy listening!