J. S. Bachs früheste Notenhandschriften

With world premiere recordings Until now, those who believed that everything has already been said with regard to Johann Sebastian Bach, are mistaken. This has been shown by the spectacular find made in the Library of the Duchess Anna Amalia in Weimar: Previously unknown autographs were discovered which can be proven to have been made by the young Bach. The autographs contain works by Johann Adam Reincken and Dieterich Buxtehude as well as two previously unknown works of Pachelbel which were copied by Bach's pupil in Weimar, Johann Martin Schubart. The Bach copies were dated around the time of 1700, so they predate the earliest documents in Bach's handwriting. Thus, we areafforded a glimpse into the musical development of the 13 15-year-old Bach. This discovery shows the extraordinary talents which enabled him to attempt such demanding works of leading organ composers at such an early age. On the present CD the internationally renowned organist and Bach expert, Jean-Claude Zehnder, presents tangible insight into the early repertoire of Bach, which was formative for his later development as a composer. Through its historical proximity, this recording on the Schnitger organ of the St. Jacobi Kirche in Hamburg from 1693 [reconstructed 1989-93] represents an impressive testimony of Bach's time.