Martin Sturm – Works by Johann Sebastian Bach, played on the Trost organ in the Altenburg Castle Church

With the introduction of well-tempered tuning, it became possible to play pieces in all 24 keys on one instrument. Inspired by this possibility, Johann Sebastian Bach composed a prelude and fugue in each key and compiled them in the “Well-Tempered Clavier.” Originally played on the clavichord and harpsichord, Martin Sturm interprets this work on the organ. The different timbres and the associated playing style create a particularly emotional interpretation of the individual pieces.

Bach's music finds a kindred spirit in Tobias Heinrich Gottfried Trost, an organ builder who composed his instruments through and through. The fact that Bach played and appreciated Trost's legendary instrument in the Altenburg Castle Church is one of the particularly fortunate circumstances in music history. Martin Sturm uses the possibilities of this organ to impressively illuminate the complexity of the first “Well-Tempered Clavier” and supplements the double CD with several preludes and fugues improvised on a clavichord in the same location.

The double CD was released by the classical label querstand and presented during a night concert at the ECHO Annual Meeting 2025 in Altenburg.

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