Helmut Walcha

Helmut Walcha (October 27, 1907 in Leipzig, Germany – August 11, 1991 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany) was a blind German organist 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.

Biography

Born in Leipzig, Walcha was blinded at age 19 after vaccination for smallpox. Despite his disability, he entered the Leipzig Conservatory and became an assistant at the Thomaskirche to Günther Ramin, who was professor of organ at the conservatory and cantor at St. Thomas'. In 1929, Walcha accepted a position in Frankfurt am Main at the Friedenskirche and remained in Frankfurt for the rest of his life. From 1933 to 1938 he taught at the Hoch Conservatory. In 1938 he was appointed professor of organ at the Musikhochschule in Frankfurt and organist of the Dreikönigskirche in 1946. He retired from public performance in 1981. Walcha recorded Bach's complete works twice, once in mono, and again in stereo from 1956-71. This latter stereo cycle (released 10/09/2001), has been remastered, and repackaged in an economical collector's edition 12-CD box. This edition also contains the recording of his own conclusion of the last fugue of "The Art of Fugue" - previously unreleased.

Walcha's performances set a new standard in their day [Short biography of Helmut Walcha [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Walcha-Helmut.htm] Retrieved on 2008-09-30] and some critics think [Short biography of Helmut Walcha [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Walcha-Helmut.htm] Retrieved on 2008-09-30] that they have not yet been supplanted by more recent attempts for several reasons:

* His search for and use of two of the best Baroque organs (which he preferred to those of the modern or romantic period): the great organ of the St. Laurenskerk in Alkmaar (Holland) and the organ of Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune in Strasbourg (he held fundraisers for the authentic restoration of these and other Baroque organs).
* His brilliant registrations, which he never allowed the publication of, enable multiple voice lines to be clearly audible.
* His supple pedal technique and keyboard skills give balanced and complete musical images which remain in the mind long after listening.
* His musical inner vision: Blinded at nineteen, he learned new pieces by having musicians (including his mother in his childhood and his wife in later years), play for him four times (each hand separately, the pedal part separately, and the complete piece). Having perfect pitch, he would memorize the piece while listening.

Walcha could envision Bach's multiple lines simultaneously and share each of them with the listener [Short biography of Helmut Walcha [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Walcha-Helmut.htm] Retrieved on 2008-09-30] , not crowding them with unnecessary ranks for the sake of volume, enabling the sheer drama of the music, a view of its architectural genius, and allowing attention to any line at any time [Short biography of Helmut Walcha [http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Walcha-Helmut.htm] Retrieved on 2008-09-30.]

Walcha also composed for the organ. He published four volumes of original chorale preludes (published by C. F. Peters and recorded in part by, for example, Renate Meierjürgen ( [http://cat.opal-libraries.org/record=b1100821] )) as well as arrangements for organ of orchestral works written by others.

He lectured on organ music and composition (illustrated by his own playing) at the Hoch Conservatory and the Frankfurt Musikhochschule. One other contribution to music scholarship is his attempted completion of the final (unfinished) fugue of "The Art of Fugue".

Walcha taught many significant American organists of the twentieth century who travelled to Germany as Fulbright scholars: these include Robert Anderson, David Boe, Margaret Leupold Dickinson, Melvin Dickinson, Delbert Disselhorst, David Mulbury, Fenner Douglass, Jane Douglass, Grigg and Helen Fountain - all of whom became major teachers and performers after their studies abroad.

Quote

"Bach opens a vista to the universe. After experiencing him, people feel there is meaning to life after all."

Selected discography

* Bach: Organ Works. Performed by Helmut Walcha. 12-CD set from Archiv Produktion (Deutsche Grammophon) Catalog No. 463712 ("Walcha's Bach holds a similar place in the annals of recording to Fischer-Dieskau's Schubert, Toscanini's Verdi, and Gieseking's Debussy." -- [ [http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=2629 Review by Jed Distler] ] )
* Bach: Great Organ Works. Performed by Helmut Walcha. 2-CD set from Deutsche Grammophon Double Catalog No. 453064 (one disc with Walcha playing the organ of St. Laurenskerk in Alkmaar and the other with him playing the organ of Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune in Strasbourg).

Helmut Walcha has also recorded most of Bach's harpsichord works (The English and French Suites, The Goldberg Variations, Partitas, The Italian Concerto, 15 Inventions and 15 Sinfonias, The Well-Tempered Clavier) for EMI. These recordings are still available from EMI-Toshiba (Japan). The Well-Tempered Clavier and the Goldberg Variations are also available in Europe in a 5-cd set. He also recorded The Well-Tempered Clavier for Deutsche Grammophon, using a Ruckers cembalo for the first book and a Hemsch for the second book. This recording is only available in the far East (Korea, Japan).

External links

* [http://www.andrant.com/walcha.htm Rare recording (mp3) - Helmut Walcha harpsichord rehearsal] , the F minor Violin Sonata of Bach, with Walcha singing the violin part (excerpt) - Paris, 1969 - Szeryng/Walcha edition - a Walcha's biography written by Ursula Walcha - a Canon

Further reading

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