Baroque Organ Music

Per Fidtjov Bonsaksen (born 1946) is director of church music, organist and choir conductor at Trondheim Cathedral. He is also a consultant for organ and church music issues in Norway. Mr. Bonsaksen studied in Cologne, Vienna, Hamburg and Tronheim and has given numerous organ and choir concerts both in Europe and the USA. Thanks to his initiative, the Wagner organ in Nidarosdom by Trondheim was restored and is one of the best sounding organs in Europe today. The “Wagner organ” was built as a baroque organ by the master builder Joachim Wagner from Berlin in 1738/39, but was dismantled and replaced by a new organ 200 years later. Back at its old place today, it is especially well suited for interpreting original baroque music thanks to the excellent restoration. The most important compositions for this organ type are from J. S. Bach, which are also the majority of the pieces on these two CDs. The second CD is dedicated especially to the music composed for Christmas in the baroque era: in addition to pieces by J. S. Bach, there are also ones by Buxtehude, Pachelbel and others.