Recordings Of Dr. Schweitzer Playing the Organ

First let me say that I am even less qualified to review Schweitzer's music than his books. I have no background in organ playing, and rarely listen to it outside of church. Therefore I won't attempt to critique the work, but only to describe what is available.

Albert Schweitzer Plays Bach, Volume I

Published By: Pavilion Records, Ltd., Sparrows Green, Wadhurst, E. Sussex, England.
Year Recorded: 1935-1936
Instruments:
Playing Time: 74 minutes, 56 seconds 


Table of Contents
There is a fair amount of hiss and scratchiness in this recording, as I suppose is inevitable for something recorded in the 1930s. As the back cover of the CD notes, "Please remember that, inevitably, early recordings bear some surface noise, which may be reduced by use of your own tone controls if you so wish." The CD includes an insert which introduces Schweitzer, his organ playing, his love and command of Bach, and the circumstances of the recordings.

Table of Contents of Albert Schweitzer Plays Bach, Volume I

  1. Tocata in D Minor, BWV 565
  2. Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565
  3. Prelude in G. BWV 541
  4. Fugue in G. BWV 541
  5. Fugue in G Minor. BWV 578
  6. Prelude in F Minor. BWV 534
  7. Fugue in F Minor. BWV 534
  8. Prelude in C. BWV 545
  9. Fugue in C. BWV 545
  10. Fantasie in G Minor. BWV 542
  11. Fugue in G Minor. BWV 542
  12. Schmucke Dich, O Liebe Seele. BWV 654
  13. An Wasserflussen Babylon. BWV 653
  14. Fugue in A Minor. BWV 543

Albert Schweitzer Plays Bach, Volume II

Published By: Pavilion Records, Ltd., Sparrows Green, Wadhurst, E. Sussex, England.
Year Recorded:  October, 1936
Instruments: Silbermann Organ, St. Aurelie, Strasbourg  (Tracks 12 - 14)
Playing Time: 79 minutes, 38 seconds 


Table of Contents
There is a fair amount of hiss and scratchiness in this recording (although to my ear not as much as Volume I), as I suppose is inevitable for something recorded in the 1930s. As the back cover of the CD notes, "Please remember that, inevitably, early recordings bear some surface noise, which may be reduced by use of your own tone controls if you so wish." The CD includes an insert which introduces Schweitzer, his organ playing, his love and command of Bach, and the circumstances of the recording.

Table of Contents of Albert Schweitzer Plays Bach, Volume II

  1. Prelude in C Minor, BWV 546
  2. Fugue in C Minor, BWV 546
  3. Prelude in C. BWV 547
  4. Fugue in C. BWV 547
  5. Fugue in E Minor. BWV 548
  6. Prelude in E Minor. BWV 548
  7. Christum wir sollen loben schon. BWV 611
  8. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier. BWV 731
  9. Mit Fried und Freud ich far dahin. BWV 616
  10. Christus der uns selig macht. BWV 629
  11. Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund. BWV 621
  12. O Mensch, bewein dein Sunde. BWV 622
  13. O Lamm Gottes unschuldig. BWV 618
  14. Sei gegrusst Jesu gutig. BWV 768
  15. Jesus Christus, unser Heiland. BWV 626
  16. Christ lag in Todesbanden. BWV 625
  17. Erschienen ist der herrliche Tag. BWV 629