This is the final set of Pieter van Dijk’s complete Bach organ works, using the Joachim Wagner organ in Nidaros Dom, Trondheim, a wonderful, colourful instrument by a builder whose work was familiar to Bach. The Alkmaar organ, where Van Dijk has been organist for many years, is well known as one of the finest surviving historic organs in Europe.

This set concentrates on alternative versions of works, some of which are already heard on earlier volumes of the cycle. We have the early versions of the Leipzig chorales, and BWV 651a makes a splendid opening work, using the pleno of the Wagner. On this organ BWV 658a is played with just a single gorgeous flute, with 4ft Octave in the pedal. The three settings of Allein Gott are good examples of the varied registrations used, while BWV 665a uses rich reed colour. Back in Alkmaar, the earlier ornamented version of the Pièce d’orgue is a thrilling end to the second CD. The third CD is a selection of shorter works, some of dubious attribution, and this whole cycle ends with a magisterial Passacaglia in its usual modern edition version, Van Dijk having recorded the early version from the Andreas Bach Buch on vol.5. Here, then, is the culmination of what must be one of the finest ‘complete’ Bach organ works, from a musician steeped in this music and the appropriate period organs. Bravo!