Engaging and cordial, these splendid performances of some of
Bach
's finest compositions breath to life through this recording with the assistance and inspiration of organist
E. Power Biggs
. Light, lush and radiant, these beautiful organ melodies take the listener on a journey to paradise, and to the top of the world's classical music heaven, feeling like one has met
J. S. Bach
personally. Such a definitive collection put together and sold on the market within the last three decades is quite rare, especially for such a classy label as
Columbia
. Featured on the first side of this record are quite a few fresh and merry Minuets in both major and minor keys, lasting no more than a minute. Not until the second side do we see the scope and length of
Bach's
longer pieces, as they are so pleasantly absorbed into the ears and hearts of the listening audience. Perhaps a highlight in the record can be the
Aria, the Birthday Cantata no. 208
, an eclectic, romantic, and at times maddening piece clocking to five and a half minutes. This collection of
is meant to stir the listening soul, turn on the ears of the passive listener and have the listener find a new direction in their lives through the uplifting and reflective power of the music itself. ~ Shawn M. Haney