If you have not already discovered the young German organist, Jan Liebermann, you are in for a treat. Winner of the 2024 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition, Liebermann has been posting performance videos for a couple of years. At 18, he is a student at the Hochschule für Musik in Mainz. Earlier this year, he performed all six Bach organ Trio Sonatas from memory on the beautiful Goll organ (2010/III/36) in the Hochschule’s performance room. He has released a video of each sonata recorded the previous day in rehearsal as well as the whole recital. These performances are extraordinary – exhibiting a remarkable degree of musicianship as well as technical ability. His choice of registration beautifully and clearly articulates the independent voices of each part of the these trios, including a decision to play with a 16′ on the pedals, as Bach intended, giving a much greater grounding to the sound throughout. George Stauffer comments in his recent book, “The six Sonatas, with their transparent and fiercely independent parts for right hand, left hand, and feet, offer the performer no place to hide. They were, are remain, the ultimate test of an organist’s skill.” (JS Bach: The Organ Works, Oxford 2024, p.447). Jan Liebermann rises to the challenge in these immensely enjoyable performances.
Sonata no. 1 in E-flat major BWV 525
Sonata no. 2 in C minor BWV 526
Sonata no. 3 in D minor BWV 527
Sonata no. 4 in E minor BWV 528
Sonata no. 5 in C major BWV 529