Presto Recording of the Week
1st August 2025

Gramophone Magazine
September 2025
Recording of the Month

BBC Philharmonic, Sir Andrew Davis, Martyn Brabbins

Bach, J S: Toccata & Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: In dulci jubilo, BWV 608 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Heut triumphieret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Fantasia & Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542 "The Great" (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß, BWV 622 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Passacaglia & Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Organ Trio super "Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend", BWV 655 (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)
Bach, J S: Prelude & Fugue in E-Flat Major, BWV 552 "St. Anne" (Arr. for Orchestra by Sir Andrew Davis)

Sir Andrew Davis was a talented keyboard player as a child and teenager, and after study with Peter Hurford, at St Albans, he spent four years at the University of Cambridge as organ scholar at Kings College, under Sir David Willcocks. It was this period of his life that sparked his love for and appreciation of the organ works of J.S. Bach, which remained a lifelong passion. Sir Andrew made all the transcriptions on this album for the BBC Philharmonic, and four of them were recorded in November 2023. Sadly, Sir Andrew died before the final recording sessions for the album could take place (September 2024): we are immensely grateful that he completed the arrangements, and very thankful to Martyn Brabbins for completing the recording with the sense of style, love, and affection that Sir Andrew would have admired.

"If you love your Bach and your romantic orchestra, this album, stunningly executed by the BBC PO under Brabbins's sure hand, will always be a captivating encounter." - Gramophone Magazine, September 202