Years of disciplined practice there.

yep EDIT yep

Are female organists recognizably different from male organists?

It's not a perfect tempo at all and for all you know Bach will be turning in his grave!

....and for all you know, he may not be!! :)

There's no such thing as playing too fast, only listening too slowly.

For me, Bach gains nothing at this tempo, but loses a great deal.

@furstjakobderschwabe Aber es ist zu vermuten dass bei Luftzufuhr per Handbetrieb oder Fußbetrieb nicht so schnell wie heut gespielt werden konnte!

You obviously value virtuosity more than musicality.

Not at all. Don't be so silly and mean-spirited. DB is a fine organist, even if her performance is not to your particular taste.

It's not our job to "play it the way we feel it," and doing so shows a great deal of disrespect not only to the piece, but to the composser as well...

Purism like that is how the organ will die. Shut up. Let the organ and its music evolve. I highly doubt Bach would care being the showman he was.

Thank you for your kind words. By the way, the organ can’t die, any more than it can "evolve,” it's an inanimate object and Bach isn't a showman because he's... dead! Last but not least, you speak as though you know Bach personally, but I’m willing to bet you never met the man. I bet you also think its okay for modern day composers to "finish” the "unfinished" compositions of Schubert or Hayden and other REAL composers as if they could possibly know or understand the creative genius of these masters or they’re master pieces. But hey, that’s musical evolution… right?!

Well yes the organ (if you knew anything about it) can evolve and has been with the adoption of new technology. Something like a theater organ was at one time was the most advanced form of organ building and demonstrated just how much music could be made with wind blown pipes. In the process it freed the organ from heavy and clunky mechanical action for a newer and lighter electric action and monsters like Atlantic City and Wanamakers show the current peak in organ building. And yes Bach WAS a showman. Obviously he is no longer alive and if him not being alive means it doesn't mater if he was a showman then it doesn't matter what tempo a piece of his is played at. And yes I do not care if a modern composer finishes unfinished pieces or the tempo they play at. There is no disrespect being done.

OriginalAstroTard That is a toccata, it is written to be played fast !

Exactly. There is no such thing as "too fast." The piece is notated to be played briskly. Heavy phrasing is fine and appropriate for some pieces--just not this one.

Albert peckham Go. To. Bed.

Very well said! I absolutely agree with your comment.

Ich bewundere immer wieder die kompositorische Meisterschaft Bachs, denn bislang habe ich keine Interpretation oder Bearbeitung gehört, die die Komposition zerstört hätte. Der Kern der Genialität bleibt stets erhalten. Mag sein, dass Frau Bish ein zu schnelles Tempo wählt, aber das entspricht, denke ich, ihrem Temperament und ihren technischen Fähigkeiten solch ein Tempo zu wählen. Natürlich gibt es da auch ein paar falsche Töne, aber ich finde es eine mitreißende Interpretation, ähnlich wie ihre Interpretation der Sinfonia zur Kantate 29. Ich glaube, Bach wäre sehr erstaunt darüber, dass eine Frau sein Werk so bewältigen kann. Vielleicht würde er den sterilen Klang der modernen Orgel nicht mögen und hie und da die Registrierung ändern, aber letztlich Frau Bish seine Anerkennung zollen.

Ya, but it's hard to knock Casavant's experience with 4000 builds vs. Kney's 95 at the time. I've played even tiny Casavant organs and been amazed at the voicing and quality.

I heard a lot of mistake because of too fast play 早すぎて　ミスが多い　Ms.

Because she can, Burt. Because she can. If you could play it as fast, you would. You or anyone who says otherwise is ... getting a lump of coal this Christmas.

'hm Sometimes anyone could play it more faster than Mrs Bishop! And than?? No, no, no I´m sure Bach didn´t composed this as an competition of velocity! I did the experience, that the most classical pieces are played to fast these days! Many serious researches improves that! Higher, wider, faster, better: What´s the point of that?? I´m sure that is not what Bach means! To all interpreter: Back to the roots! The hectic activity of today should not be the moving power of today! Sorry for my bad english, i hope you understand what i´m trying to say!! Greetings from germany, no hard feelings and be sure we know what BACH means!

Leisesturm Give me the lump of coal. This is too fast..

Indeed...why so fast?Because she can is not a valid reason.One wonders how many of the audience in attendance is clapping for her performance (flawless as it may be) but more out of politeness?

Lawrence Krupp I have played this from memory since late teens. I do not play it so fasthat it is sped over and wonderful inner voices not discerned.

Robert Gift Sorry Robert - it is NOT too rushed and not TOO fast. I love Diane Bish's performance. What is wrong with the reeds and Fox's Ending? You need to get a life ! I agree with another comment that you sound like a no-talent purist ! NO , IT IS NOT TOO FAST ! I admire her skill . God, give that skill to me ! I only wish I had it !!

The tempo is fine but it waivers...and the hands are not always together. Bit it's fine. Excellent. Just needs a little clean-up -- and will always needs a little clean-up -- whoever plays it. I'm sure that all Diane hears now are the mistakes. You try it in front of a paying audience. Good luck!

+Robert Gift ARGH!!! what is it with all those people who can't play the organ themselves trying to critize the greats!? To say something negative about you would be like pooping on poop!

+Nautilus Nexus If you heard me, you'd likely find nothing negative. If you said I was playing a little too slowly, I'd disagree. I also play the fugue, even if some think is it anti-climactic following the magnificent fantasy.