An expansive tour of the instruments that Bach knewThe Organs of J. S. Bach is a comprehensive and fascinating guide to the organs encountered by Bach throughout Germany in his roles as organist, concert artist, examiner, teacher, and visitor. Newly revised and updated, the book's entries are listed alphabetically by geographical location, from Arnstadt to Zschortau, providing an easy-to-reference overview. Includes detailed organ-specific information:
high-quality color photographs
each instrument's history, its connection to Bach, and its disposition as Bach would have known it
architectural histories of the churches housing the instruments
identification of church organists Lynn Edwards Butler's graceful translation of Christoph Wolff and Markus Zepf's volume incorporates new research and many corrections and updates to the original German edition. Bibliographical references are updated to include English-language sources, and the translation includes an expanded essay by Christoph Wolff on Bach as organist, organ composer, and organ expert. The volume includes maps, a timeline of organ-related events, transcriptions of Bach's organ reports, a guide to examining organs attributed to Saxony's most famous organ builder Gottfried Silbermann, and biographical information on organ builders. Publication of this volume is supported by the American Bach Society.
''We now have an English translation of the most comprehensive study of the Bach organs. This is a vital resource that will enrich the lives of many, and it provides an enlightening and exciting venture into the Bach realm.'' Jack Mitchener, Oberlin College ''Original instruments are the subject of Lynne Edward Butler's translation of Christoph Wolff and Markus Zepf's Die Orgeln J.S. Bachs (2008), which lists each organ Bach knew or was likely to have played during half a century or more... The book's German original is now updated and presented in a very readable English complete with good scene-setting, excellent pictures, indexes, lists, and bibliography.'' - Peter Williams, Times Literary Supplement, November 2012 ''English speakers will be delighted at the appearance of the Wolff/Zepf study in a translation of considerable nuance by the American organist and baroque organ scholar, Lynn Edwards Butler, published with the support of the American Bach Society. As with the German original, one will find here an introductory essay on Bach in his multidimensional roles as organ performer, composer, and consultant; a biographical sketch set out as a timeline; and three maps...[A] treasury of information smartly organised and compactly exhibited...The book will prove an invaluable as a ready reference tool, as the Handbook of the title suggests.'' - Journal of the British Institute of Organ Studies
