That mallet-y effect in 655 may be the particular "chiff" attack of a tracker-action organ. In these instruments, pressing a key mechanically opens the corresponding pipe--compared with modern organs, where pressing a key closes an electrical switch, which then opens a pipe--and this produces a sharp attack that sends fans of baroque organs into a swoon. There has been a renaissance of baroque-style organs since around 1960, and several contemporary organ builders specialize in tracker-action organs, including Flentrop in the Netherlands and Charles Fisk in Glouster, MA.
That mallet-y effect in 655 may be the particular "chiff" attack of a tracker-action organ. In these instruments, pressing a key mechanically opens the corresponding pipe--compared with modern organs, where pressing a key closes an electrical switch, which then opens a pipe--and this produces a sharp attack that sends fans of baroque organs into a swoon. There has been a renaissance of baroque-style organs since around 1960, and several contemporary organ builders specialize in tracker-action organs, including Flentrop in the Netherlands and Charles Fisk in Glouster, MA.
Amazing - thanks for the color, Raymond.
Love the drunken clown passage in BWV 665!