That Bach's organ works should be performed on the organs of Gottfried Silbermann could hardly be more appropriate. Bach became known throughout the wider region not only as an organist and improviser, but also as a technician well-versed in the arts of organ building. Bach and Gottfried Silbermann, of similar age and living in the same area, were firm friends and colleagues. They shared an interest and advanced knowledge of acoustics as applied to the voicing and location of organs, and on a personal level we may be certain that Silbermann was a frequent visitor at the Bach home in Leipzig – he was after all godfather to Carl Philipp Emmanuel.

Silbermann was based in Freiberg, Saxony, where he had his workshop. His mainly small village instruments were built to a fairly standard model thus saving tooling costs which were passed on in the form of highest quality materials and workmanship. Perhaps the single most important feature of Gottfried Silbermann's instruments is their distinctive sounds. From the silvery flutes to the strong and reedy 16' Posaune in the pedal, Silbermann's sounds were unique, and indeed were constantly praised by organists in their testimonies of his instruments. Frequent reference is made to a play on his name, as organists praised his "Silberklang" or "Silvery Sounds". Mozart was quite clear: "These instruments are magnificent beyond measure".

The great Freiberg Cathedral Organ was built between 1710 and 1714 as Gottfried's second "solo" instrument following his establishment in Freiberg, the first being for the village church of Frauenstein which was later destroyed by fire. This is without doubt Silbermann's largest and most impressive instrument – the Dresden Cathedral organ was not completed by him.

This CD features a selection of Bach's finest works, some well known, and some lesser-known ones also, performed by Hans Otto and Arthur Eger.

In addition to the main organ, we also include a brief sampling of the smaller organ in Freiberg Cathedral - a one-manual instrument originally built for the Johannis Kirche and moved in 1939. Thus although built by Silbermann (in 1719) it was not voiced by him specifically for its present location in a side gallery.

The accompanying notes give full specification of both organs, together with many of the specific registration selections used in the performances.

For more detail on the Freiberg Cathedral organ and additional pictures, check
The Great Silbermann Organ (1714) in Freiberg Cathedral, Saxony

To learn more about the master Saxon organ-builder, check the official Gottfried Silbermann Museum website:
GOTTFRIED SILBERMANN: Master Organ-Builder of the German Baroque