Krebs: Complete Works on Historic Thuringian Organs

JOHANN LUDWIG KREBS holds the distinction of being among the more talented of J. S. Bach’s pupils and was regarded in his lifetime both as an extraordinary organist and a sensational composer, especially for the organ. In this distinguished series of recordings, organist Felix Friedrich plays organs by builders who were known and admired by Krebs: Gottfried Silbermann and Tobias Heinrich Gottfried Trost, and in volumes 9 and 10, the 1746 Hildebrandt at Naumburg and the Schramm at Wechselburg. The composer has even a closer connection to some of the organs heard, all of which are beautifully recorded. Rarely heard by western ears in this century, the reunification of Germany a decade ago has made these organs available to hear and record.

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 1

Felix Friedrich plays the 1739 Trost at the castle church in Altenburg. Toccata and Fugue in a; 3 Trios: a, d, C; Prelude and Fugue in c; Fugue in B on BACH; 4 Fugues: c, E-flat, f, B; Prelude and Fugue in D; 3 Chorales: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern; Meinem Jesdum lasse ich nicht; Zeuch ein zu deinen Toren

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 2

Felix Friedrich plays the 1739 Gottfried Silbermann organ in Ponitz, almost entirely intact and restored in 1984 by Eule. Prelude and Fuge in C; Prelude and Fugue in f; 3 Trios: C, g, f; Fantasie with Fugue fragment in G; Fantasie in F; Chorales: Nun freut euch, liebe Christen gmein; Jesu, meines Lebens Leben; Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan; Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten; Herzlich lieb hab ich dich,o Herr

Krebs Organ Works with Oboe, Vol. 3

Felix Friedrich plays the 1739 Trost organ at the castle church in Altenburg, where Bach played during a visit and where Krebs was organist. Norbert Kaschel plays a baroque oboe in the works for both instruments.
FOR ORGAN ALONE: Preludes in F (2) and C (2); Prelude & Fugue in F-sharp Major; Fugue in A minor; 2 Chorales: O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort; Ach Gott, erhör mein Seufzen
FOR ORGAN & OBOE: Fantasia in f minor; Fantasia in F Major; 9 Chorales with oboe: Herr Jesu Christ, meines Lebens Licht; Ich hab in gottes Herz; Jesu, meine Freude; Komm, Heiliger Geist; Kommt her zu mir, spricht Gottes Sohn; Meine Seel ermuntre dich; O Gott, du frommer Gott; Treuer Gott, ich muß dir klagen; Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 4

Felix Friedrich plays the 1717 Trost organ at Großengottern, restored in 1997 by Eule. Prelude in C; Four Trios in d, F, F, B; Fantasia à gusto italiano; Fuga in F; 12 Chorales: Warum sollt ich mich denn grämen; Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele; Fantasia sopra Herr Jesu Chrsit, dich zu ns wend; Trio sopra Mein Gott, das Herze bring ich dir; O König, dessen Majestät; Herr Gott, dich loben alle war; Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her; Nun freut euch, liebe Christen gmein; Jesu, meines Lebens Leben; O Gott, du frommer Gott; Wir glauben all an einen Gott (canot fermo in soprano); Jesu meine Freude; 2 Canonic Chorales: Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir; Auf meinen lieben Gott VKJK-9904 $14.98

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 5

Felix Friedrich plays the 1752 Silbermann organ at Frankenstein, Germany, restored in 1998 by Wieland Rühle of Moritzburg and tuned to the “Dresdner Kammerton” pitch A=415Hz. The concerto and three of the preludes feature Imrtraut Friedrich playing a copy by Martin-Christian Schmidt of a ca. 1745 Silbermann harpsichord, also built to the Dresdner Kammerton. Soprano Susanne Scheinpflug sings the 3-minute Aria Bist du noch fern. Prelude & Fugue in c; Preludes 1-6 from Piecen, Part 1; Concerto for two keyboards in a; Chorale Preludes: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ; Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr; Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele; Wir glauben all an einen Gott

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 6

Felix Friedrich plays the 1735 Silbermann Organ at St. Peter’s Church, Freiberg. Although Krebs neither played nor knew of the Freiberg Silbermann, it represents the exact instrument that he wanted for his home parish in Zwickau. With 2 manuals and 32 registers, it is the third largest of the remaining Silbermann organs. The Fantasia in C is for organ and traverse flute is played here by Johanna Baumgärtel. Trio in E-flat Major; Trio in c; Fantasia in C for traverse flute & organ; Trio in F; Prelude & Fugue in d; Six Chorales: Herr, ich habe, mißgehandelt; Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz; Jesus, meine Zuversicht; Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder; Wir glauben all an einen Gott; Von Gott will ich night lasen

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 7

Felix Friedrich plays the 1739 Trost organ at the castle church in Altenburg. Christine Schornsheim plays cembalo and the Kammerchor Michaelstein sing, sometimes with alto and/or bass soloist, the chorales. Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr; Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten; Jesu, meine Freude; Christ lag in Todesbanden; Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein; Auf meinen lieben Gott; Vater unser; Sei Lob und Ehr dem Höchsten Gut; Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan; Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott; Von Gott will ich nicht lassen; Warum betrübst du dich, mein Herz; Jesus, meine Zuversicht

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 8

Felix Friedrich plays the 1739 Trost organ at the castle church in Altenburg, where Bach played during a visit and where Krebs was organist. Robert Vanryne plays baroque trumpet in the works for both instruments.
FOR ORGAN ALONE: Praeludium und Fuge; Trio in c (Andante); Fantasia in C; Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott
FOR ORGAN & TRUMPET: Wachet auf (4 settings); Es is gewißlich an der Zeit; Gott der Vater wohn uns bei; Wir glauben all’ an einen Gott; In allen meinen taten; Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr

Krebs Organ Works, Vol. 9

NEW! Felix Friedrich plays the Johann Jacob Schramm organ in the Stadtkirche at Wechselburg. Four Chorals: Wenn mein Stündlein vorhanden ist; Mitten wir im Leben sind von dem Tod umfangen; Fantasia sopra Warum soll ich mich denn grämen; Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut; Fantasia in F for pedals; Six Sonatinas for Organ; a chamber choir directed by Sebastian Göring sings Krebs’ motette Erforsche mich, Gott and Magnificat in F for organ and choir.

Krebs Organ Works, Vol 10

Felix Friedrich plays the restored Hildebrandt organ at St. Wenzel Church in Naumburg. Fantasia & Fugue in F; Prelude in f; Fantasia in F; Fantasia Eine Nachahmung der Nachtigall auf der Orgel; Triosonate in e; Toccata and Fugue in E; Trio in G (Allegro); Fantasia sopra Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele; Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder; Wo soll ich fliehen hin; Jesu, der du meine Seele; Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn; Choralsatz Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn (J.S.Bach; BWV 342) (Zwei Strophen) Wir glauben all an einen Gott; Fuga in B on BACH