Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

For better or worse, this most celebrated of Bach’s pieces has become extricably linked to the Phantom. Let us leave the debate over whether or not this organ work should be forbidden to the orchestra to the music critics and give you a selection of both worlds.

Organ

Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Works Lazer Light, 1988. Hannes Kastner is the organist in this rich recording. The listener gets a definite impression of soaring cathedrals and waterfalls, or mayhap a madman at the organ. CD, 61 minutes.

Classic Creepies Wilhelm Krumbach shows his mastery of the organ on this track. The organ’s voice is much deeper and menacing conjuring up scenes of dank labyrinths and an unmasked Chaney grinding his teeth in rage. Strangely enough the Webber orchestral suite is also here.

Orchestral

Bach: Greatest Hits RCA Victor, 1991. Eugene Ormandy leads the Philadelphia Orchestra in this piece. The track is beautiful and carries all the rich timbre of the work. CD, 71 minutes.

Classics From the Crypt RCA Victor, 1992. The credits remain the same as the track above, but the sound is much fuller. The booklet features a masked Rains at the organ, and it traces this piece’s lineage back to its organ roots. Oh yes, there’s a link to the early Phantom films as well.

Metal

Elivra (?)Halloween 2008 OK guys, can't find a confim on this one. But lots of metal tracks, including Bach and the Broadway show. Strangely if it is legit, Elvira appears nowhere on the CD.