Bach, Bush & Middelschulte

A multi-generational encounter with two masters of the polyphonic arts, introduced by Brink Bush.

Audio Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

Week of September 19, 2005

Links and Resources:

Music played in the program

J.S. BACH: Prelude in e, S. 548 –Olivier Vernet (1737 Treutmann/Grauhof Castle Church, Goslar, Germany) Ligia Digital 6164078-99

J.S. BACH: Fugue in e, S. 548, Wedge –Virgil Fox (1953 Aeolian-Skinner/Riverside, New York, NY) OrganArts CD-4135

WILHELM MIDDELSCHULTE: Scherzo & Adagio, from Konzert über ein Thema von Johann Sebastian Bach –Gisbert Schneider (1992 Alexander Schuke/Erfurt Cathedral, Germany) Cybele CD-050201

WILHELM MIDDELSCHULTE: Intermezzo/Perpetuum mobile, the Pedal Etude, from Konzert über ein Thema von Johann Sebastian Bach –Cameron Carpenter (1998 Hendrickson/Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata, MN) Pipedreams Archive recorded May 10, 2005

WILHELM MIDDELSCHULTE: 3 Studies on the chorale Vater unser im Himmelreich –Brink Bush (1995 Konzelman/St. Anne RCC, Rochester, NY) Saint Anne Productions CD-1001

WILHELM MIDDELSCHULTE: Chromatic Fantasy & Fugue –Brink Bush (1995 Konzelman/St. Anne RCC, Rochester, NY) Saint Anne Productions CD-1001

J.S. BACH: Chorale-prelude, Ein feste Burg, S. 720 –Marie-Claire Alain (1737 Treutmann/Grauhof Castle Church, Goslar, Germany) Erato ECD-96747

JOHANN LUDWIG KREBS: Fugue on B-A-C-H –Felix Friedrich (1755 Trost/Stadtkirche [Town Church], Waltershausen, Germany) Querstand CD-9809

WILHELM MIDDELSCHULTE: Passacaglia in d –Jane Parker-Smith (1998 Goll/Stadtpfarrkirche Sankt Martin, Memmingen, Germany) Avie 034

Talk about a contrapuntal web Wilhelm Middelschulte, a famous early 20th century teacher and recitalist, was fascinated by the works of Bach and wrote his own pieces in tribute to Bach. J.L. Krebs was Bach’s favorite pupil. Virgil Fox was Middelschulte’s most famous pupil. Cameron Carpenter may be the ‘Virgil Fox’ of the 21st Century. Vernet and Alain have recorded the complete Bach organ works. Bush, Parker-Smith and Schneider have begun a Middelschulte revival. It does all fit together, really!

Additional compositions and arrangements by Wilhelm Middelschulte have been recorded by Jürgen Sonnentheil on instruments by Gerald Woehl in Cuxhaven and Hildesheim on cpo 999 739 and cpo 999 962, with more to follow.