CD REVIEW -
KING OF KINGS
J S BACH
BBC PHILHARMONIC/DAVIS/BRABBINS
Chandos CHAN 20400 [TT 68:23]

"The master of them all" is how Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was described by none other than Jools Holland on his BBC Radio 3 Saturday noon programme. And there must be light music enthusiasts who appreciate the great German's melodiousness. This release is for them.

It consists of 11 organ works arranged for orchestra by one of the most familiar and much-admired conductors of our time, Sir Andrew Davis (1944-2024), who sadly did not live to record more than four of them; the dynamic Martyn Brabbins, a former MD of English National Opera, finishing the album we have here.

Born in Ashridge, Hertfordshire, Sir Andrew had been a student at King's College, Cambridge, where he was Organ Scholar and began his love of Bach's music, before becoming a conductor. Known for his sharp sense of humour he was, along with "Andrew Preview" in the classic Morecombe & Wise sketch, the only other maestro I personally saw live jumping up into the air while conducting.

The album's opening number is Toccata and Fugue, which will be well-known to many, as will the Chorale Prelude: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme (also known as Sleepers Awake). Some of the other pieces, also all première recordings in this form, may be recognised even if we cannot translate the titles. Mike George's notes tell us that the earliest written piece is Passacaglia and Fugue from 1710.

The playing of the Manchester based BBC Philharmonic Orchestra led by Yuri Torchinsky, and the Chandos sound are of their usual high quality. The recording venue was MediaCityUK, Salford, in November 2023 and September 2024.

Altogether a most agreeable listen and a fitting memory of a kindly man with an outstanding musical talent.

© Peter Burt, July 2025