Helmut Walcha

Helmut Walcha – Bach, J.S.: Preludes, Toccatas, Fantasies & Fugues, Trio Sonatas (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 07:35:08 minutes | 9,01 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon (DG)

The first Archiv Produktion recordings were made in 1947 by Leipzig-born organist Helmut Walcha who set a new standard in terms of organ performances and recordings. Walcha held an unrivalled position as a Bach interpreter. The success of these first recordings led to the decision to record the complete Bach organ works to commemorate the composer’s bicentenary in 1950. Walcha went on to record Bach’s complete organ works a second time – this time in stereo – and his 1956 recording of the Bach Toccata & Fugue in D Minor BWV 565 was the first-ever stereo recording made by DG. Marking the 30th anniversary of Walcha’s death this release brings together his complete recordings on Archiv Produktion, Deutsche Grammophon and Philips for the first time.

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Helmut Walcha – Bach: The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080 by Helmut Walcha (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:26:58 minutes | 894 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alexandre Bak – Classical Music Reference Recording

Helmut Walcha (October 27, 1907 – August 11, 1991) was a blind German organist, harpsichordist and composer who specialized in the works of the Dutch and German baroque masters and is known for his recordings of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
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Helmut Walcha – Bach: Goldberg Variations by Helmut Walcha (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:15:33 minutes | 1,53 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alexandre Bak – Classical Music Reference Recording

Walcha went blind at the age of nineteen as a result of an early childhood smallpox vaccination. He passed the entrance examination at the Leipzig Conservatory at the age of 15 and became the youngest organ student of Günther Ramin. There he developed into an important Bach interpreter. From 1926 to 1929 he was Ramin’s deputy at the Thomaskirche. from 1929 to 1944 he regularly performed organ cycles as organist of the Friedenskirche in Frankfurt am Main and from 1933 taught at the Hoch Conservatory. in 1938, the conservatory was transferred to the State University of Music and Performing Arts Frankfurt am Main; Walcha was appointed professor of organ and head of the church music department (emeritus in 1972).

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