J.S. Bach a l'orgue Jürgen Ahrend de 'l Eglise de la Réconciliation de Taizé

Released in 1976 by Editions Studio S.M., this recording features organist Jean-Luc Jaquenod performing the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The recording sessions took place at the Église de la Réconciliation in Taizé, France, which houses a notable mechanical-action organ built by the renowned German organ builder Jürgen Ahrend. Ahrend was a pivotal figure in the organ-building world, celebrated for his commitment to historical restoration and the construction of instruments that authentically recreated the tonal qualities of the Baroque era.

The album serves as a testament to the specific acoustic environment of the Taizé community and the technical precision of Ahrend’s craftsmanship. Jaquenod’s interpretation focuses on highlighting the clarity and complex voicing of the organ, aligning with the mid-century trend of the Orgelbewegung, or Organ Reform Movement, which sought to move away from romanticized, symphonic organ playing in favor of a return to the structural transparency of the 17th and 18th centuries.