Johann Sebastian Bach and Max Reger are among the greatest German composers of all time. Although they worked in distant eras, they both created genius organ works. Tomasz Adam Nowak’s recital will include Bach’s chorale preludes and the Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue in E minor op. 127 by Reger – the latter work composed for the inauguration of the organ in Wrocław’s Centennial Hall in 1913. The programme will be complemented by various improvisations in old styles.

The Nun danket alle Gott and Allein Gott in der Höh ‘sei Ehr’ are the titles of two chorale preludes by Johann Sebastian Bach, which will begin the first part of the concert. They are based on choral melodies, which are the foundation for the remaining parts. These works show the strong attachment of the Leipzig cantor to the repertoire of past eras, including their religious symbolism. Although the pieces are short, they continue to delight us with their noble sound and rich compositional language. The Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue in E minor op. 127 is an opus magnum of Max Reger’s legacy. This work consisting of three movements was created in 1913 for the inaugural ceremony of the organ at the Centennial Hall in Wrocław. Importantly, it was then the largest instrument of this type in the world, astonishing with the timbre of several thousand pipes and its huge dimensions, being a part of the building designed by Max Berg, considered a milestone of modernist architecture. The work begins with an introduction in which the dense texture is dominated by sequences of chromatic chords gradually leading to the theme of passacaglia and the cycle of twenty-six different variations crowned with a fugue. The first performer of the piece was Prof Karl Straube from Leipzig, an excellent organist, and a friend of Reger.

During the second part of the evening, the Main Hall will be filled with the sounds of organ improvisations on themes given by the audience. A Suite in French Baroque Style and Three Flute Chimes in Classical Style will provide the framework for Tomasz Adam Nowak’s improvisations.