Bach/Vivaldi Concerto in A minor BWV 593,1

This is the first movement from J.S. Bach's organ version of the Vivaldi "A minor Concerto" for strings.

I played the entire concerto as the ending for the first half of my Senior Recital at California State University, Fresno about 45 years ago. It was played on a very nice 3-manual Casavant organ at the First Congregational Church in Fresno.

In the past few months I have been trying to resurrect my ability to play this piece, but it has proven extremely difficult. If it weren't for muscle memory, which has come back after all these years, I don't think I would have been able to play it again at all.

This is definitely not a perfect performance by any means, but I do believe it reflects the spirit of what Bach was able to create using what Vivaldi had written for strings.

When I played it for my Senior Recital, my instructor suggested I use a moderate registration to balance out with other works in the program. Personally I've always preferred a fairly robust registration and that is what I've done here.

Because of switching from a very bold Hoofdwerk setting to the more delicate Rugwerk, I've selected a Pedaal registration that works for both because, at least for me, it's impossible to make the piston changes that would otherwise be required.

Enjoy!