Testimonials from Organists
Famous, renowned organists and professors and what they say about our organ editions …
Since our 10 volume Urtext edition of the Complete Organ Works of Johann Sebastian Bach were introduced to the market in 2018, we have been delighted to receive enthusiastic feedback from organists and professors who use our Bach organ works for study and teaching, and of course play from them in concert recitals.
Christian Schmitt | Organ Professor, Codarts Rotterdam | Stuttgart, Germany
“The team of renowned editors stands out for the utmost competence. The musical text itself is clear and concise, with very good page turns. Of particular importance to me are the modern forms of the editing technique. Incerta, early and alternative versions are published online, annotated and depicted synoptically.
These and many other reasons convinced me to use the new Bach edition from Breitkopf for my CD recording with the Deutsche Grammophon.“
Prof. Ruben Sturm | Cathedral organist | Rottenburg, Germany
“My experience with the new Breitkopf edition is excellent: The new edition of Bach’s complete organ works from Breitkopf ideally combines the current state of Bach research with musical practicability, textual criticism with the perspective of different readings and scholarly standards with the joy of playing – in short: THE Bach edition of the 21st century! Highly recommended!”
Stephan Ronkov | Minster organist | Dießen am Ammersee, Germany
„In preparation for my concert series – Great Organ Works, I used the new edition of Bach’s Complete Organ Works published by Breitkopf & Härtel and edited by Jean Claude Zehnder, among others. I am simply fond of them. It is a pleasure for me to play from it. It is perfect for the performing musician,
- because the printing is more compact, so I don’t have to turn pages as often as with other editions
- because each volume has been provided with a helpful introduction including (partly) photographs of the autograph
- because through the specified various readings (early or late versions, copies or autographs) I can comprehend how the works might have developed in the compositional process.
This Breitkopf edition sets standards!”
Jens Wollenschläger | First organist at the Tübingen Stiftskirche [Collegiate Church] / Professor of Artistic and Liturgical Organ Playing | Ev. Hochschule für Kirchenmusik Tübingen [University of Church Music of the Protestant Church, Tübingen]
“I recommend the new edition to my students and also enjoy playing from it myself. I appreciate the juxtaposition of the various versions, the possibility of being able to do source research via the CD-ROM, as well as the pleasurable ease of reading and the good critical reports.”
Jörg Halubek | Conductor, harpsichordist, organist / Professor of Historical Keyboard Instruments | State University of Music and Performing Arts, Stuttgart
“The edition is for me a great asset. I find the source discussions and the introductions very inspiring, especially those by Jean-Claude and also Pieter Dirksen about the early work and on Bach’s organ music.”
Tobias Lindner | Professor of Organ | Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
“Important leaders in Bach performance have resolutely taken on Bach’s music text. The result is a complete edition in a class of its own. The theoretical parts and the CDs include everything that a player needs to know. The ultimate luxury, so to speak. […] So, when a music edition manages to stir the performers, it has attained its highest goal. Thanks for that!”
Andreas Weil | Dean of Church Music, composer, book author
“The edition of all of Bach’s organ works by the Breitkopf publishing house is in various respects a praiseworthy edition to be highly recommended. Just leafing through it is a reading pleasure. In addition, the editors manage to do justice to the balancing act between producing a practical edition and offering the latest scholarly results.”
Martin Neu | Dean of Church Music
“Breitkopf & Härtel’s Urtext edition of all the organ works of J. S. Bach presents the most recent scholarship, the print image is exemplary, the editors’ contributions are refreshingly informative. In short: very worthwhile!”
Ireneusz Wyrwa | Professor of Organ at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw
“An edition corresponding in every respect to the present day. Carefully compiled by an internationally renowned team of specialists, it incorporates the current state of source knowledge and assists the inquiring musician in clarifying questions.
By presenting, virtually, the works with their alternative versions as well as their reviews, the utilitarian aspect of the music material has been recognized while still avoiding simplifications.
The publication enriches my music library and is a valuable aid to both my concert practice and my teaching activities.
I sincerely congratulate the authors and the publisher!”