Wolfgang Rübsam

Wolfgang Friedrich Rübsam (born October 16, 1946, in Gießen) is a German-American organist, pianist, composer and pedagogue.

Biography After his musical training with Erich Ackermann in Fulda, Germany, Rübsam studied at the Musikhochschule in Frankfurt am Main with Helmut Walcha. Additional studies in organ followed with Marie-Claire Alain in France and with Robert T. Anderson at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He won the first prize at the International Organ Competition in Fort Wayne, Indiana and the Grand Prix de Chartres for interpretation in 1973.Biography on the website of the Association Grandes Orgues de Chartres.

In 1974, he was appointed as professor of sacred music and organ at Northwestern University. In addition, he also served as University Organist at Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago from 1981 until 1997. From 1997 until 2011, he was professor of organ at the Hochschule für Musik Saar in Saarbrücken, Germany. From 1998 until 2003, he was also artist in residence and university organist at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.Biography on www.wolfgangrubsam.com.

Rübsam has published more than 130 recordings,Discography by Wolfgang Rübsam on the Naxos website.Discography by Wolfgang Rübsam on the Brilliant Classics website. including two recordings of the complete organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach, the complete organ works of Jehan Alain, Dietrich Buxtehude, César Franck, Felix Mendelssohn, Joseph Rheinberger, and Louis Vierne, and recordings of Franz Liszt, Johann Pachelbel and Max Reger. In addition, he has recorded a major part of the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach on modern Bösendorfer pianos and the lute-harpsichord. He is sound engineer and producer for the Naxos Organ Encyclopedia Series and has been in great demand as concert organist and jury member for international competitions.

Rübsam is also working as composer for the publishing houses Augsburg Fortress in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Schott Music in Mainz.Wolfgang Rübsam on the Augsburg Fortress website.Wolfgang Rübsam on the Schott Music website.

Discography Organ Jehan Alain: Complete works for organ Vol. 1. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in 1973 on the Rieger organ at the Abteikirche Marienstatt. Counterpoint Classics, 2020. Jehan Alain: Complete works for organ Vol. 2. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in 1973 on the Rieger organ at the Abteikirche Marienstatt. Counterpoint Classics, 2020. Johann Sebastian Bach: Complete organ works & The Art of Fugue. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in 1977 on the Metzler & Söhne organ at St. Nikolaus Church, Frauenfeld, Switzerland (works on discs 1–12), and on the Hockhois/Marcussen organ in the nave of the Freiburg Münster (works on discs 13–16). Netherlands: Philips, 1993. 16 CDs. Johann Sebastian Bach: Preludes and Fugues. Preludes and Fugues in E minor BWV 548, A major BWV 536, A minor BWV 543 and C major BWV 545 (coupled with the Largo from Trio Sonata No. 5 in C major BWV 529). Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in 1974 at Chartres Cathedral. Philips 6549950 (051007). 1 LP. Johann Sebastian Bach: Schübler Chorales. Chorales BWV 645–650; Fantasia & Fugue BWV 537; Toccata & Fugue BWV 538; Pièce d’Orgue BWV 572; Prelude& Fugue BWV 545. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in July 1988 at the Metzler organ of St. Michael's Church, Eutin (Germany). Naxos 8.553150. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Famous Organ Works. Prelude & Fugue BWV 552; Pastorella BWV 590; Toccata BWV 565; Prelude & Fugue BWV 532; Prelude & Fugue BWV 548. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in August 1988 at the Flentrop organ (Warner Concert Hall) at the Conservatory of Music, Oberlin College, Ohio (United States). Naxos 8.550184. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonatas Nos. 1–3. Trio Sonatas BWV 525–527; Prelude & Fugue BWV 543. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in November 1989 at the Schnitger organ at the Martinikerk, Groningen (Netherlands). Naxos 8.550651. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Trios Sonatas Nos. 4–6. Trio Sonatas BWV 525–527; Prelude & Fugue BWV 547. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in November 1989 at the Schnitger organ at the Martinikerk, Groningen (Netherlands). Naxos 8.550653. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Preludes, Fantasias and Fugues BWV 536, 541, 542, 544 & 546. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in November 1989 at the Schnitger organ at the Martinikerk, Groningen (Netherlands). Naxos 8.550652. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: The Art of Fugue Vol. 1. Contrapunctus I-XV. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in April 1992 at the Flentrop organ of Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (United States). Naxos 8.550703. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: The Art of Fugue Vol. 2. Contrapunctus XVI-XIX; Partita sopra “Sei gegrüßet, Jesu gütig” BWV 768; Passacaglia BWV 582. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in April 1992 at the Flentrop organ of Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (United States). Naxos 8.550704. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Transcriptions. Six Concertos BWV 592–597; Trios BWV 585 & 586; Aria BWV 587. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in May 1993 at the Flentrop organ of St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle, Washington (United States). Naxos 8.550936. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Chorales from the Leipzig Manuscript Vol. 1. Chorales BWV 651–658; Toccata, Adagio & Fugue BWV 564. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in June 1993 at the Taylor and Boody organ at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts (United States). Naxos 8.550901. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Chorales from the Leipzig Manuscript Vol. 2. Chorales BWV 659–668; Canonic Variations on "Vom Himmel hoch da komm' ich her" BWV 769. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in June 1993 at the Taylor and Boody organ at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts (United States). Naxos 8.550927. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Clavierübung III Vol. 1. Prelude BWV 552; Chorales BWV 669–681. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in July 1993 at the Silbermann organ of Freiberg Cathedral, Germany. Naxos 8.550930. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Clavierübung III Vol. 2. Chorales BWV 682–689; Duettos BWV 802–805; Fugue BWV 552. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in July 1993 at the Silbermann organ of Freiberg Cathedral, Germany. Naxos 8.550930. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Little Organ Book Vol. 1. Chorales BWV 599–617; Preludes & Fugues BWV 531 & 534; Prelude BWV 568; Fantasia BWV 570; Fugue BWV 579. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in January 1994 at the Flentrop organ of Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (United States). Naxos 8.553031. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Little Organ Book Vol. 2. Chorales BWV 618–644; Fantasia BWV 562; Prelude & Fugue BWV 539. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in January 1994 at the Flentrop organ of Duke Chapel, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (United States). Naxos 8.553032. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Works. Preludes & Fugues BWV 535 & 550; Partita sopra „O Gott, du frommer Gott“ BWV 767; Trio BWV 584; Fantasia super „Valet will ich dir geben“ BWV 736; Canzona BWV 588; Allabreve BWV 589. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in January 1994 at the Taylor and Boody organ at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts (United States). Naxos 8.553033. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Kirnberger Chorales and other organ works Vol. 1. Chorales BWV 690–701; Preludes & Fugues BWV 549 & 566; Partita sopra „Christ, der du bist der helle Tag“ BWV 766; Fugue BWV 574. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Naxos 8.553134. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Kirnberger Chorales and other organ works Vol. 2. Chorales BWV 702–713; Toccata & Fugue BWV 540; Fugues BWV 576 & 578; Partita sopra „Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen“ BWV 770. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Naxos 8.553135. 1 CD. Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Chorales. Chorales BWV 714, 717, 718, 720, 722, 724, 725, 733–735, 737, 738, 741; Preludes & Fugues, BWV 533, 551; Prelude, BWV 569; Fugue, BWV 575; Fantasia, BWV 563 Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in August 1995 at the John Brombaugh organ at Lawrence University Chapel, Appleton, Wisconsin (United States). Naxos 8.553629. 1 CD. 'Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Transcriptions. Orchestral Suites 2 & 3, Chaconne, transcribed for Organ by Wolfgang Rübsam. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded at the Casavant, Opus 3762 organ (1998) at the Church of St. Louis, King of France, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Leeuwarden: Brilliant Classics, 2023. 1 CD. Dietrich Buxtehude: Organ Works Vol. 3. Prelude & Fugue BuxWV 146; Ciacona BuxWV159; Te Deum laudamus BuxWV 218; Passacaglia BuxWV 161; Prelude BuxWV 142; Chorales BuxWV 180, 182–186. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in March 2002 at the John Brombaugh organ of Central Lutheran Church, Eugene, Oregon (United States). Naxos 8.555991. 1 CD. Dietrich Buxtehude: Complete works for organ Vol. 1 Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Counterpoint Records, 2019. Dietrich Buxtehude: Complete works for organ Vol. 2 Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Counterpoint Records, 2019. Dietrich Buxtehude: Complete works for organ Vol. 3 Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Counterpoint Records, 2019. Dietrich Buxtehude: Complete works for organ Vol. 4 Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Counterpoint Records, 2019. Dietrich Buxtehude: Complete works for organ Vol. 5 Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Counterpoint Records, 2019. Dietrich Buxtehude: Complete works for organ Vol. 6 Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Counterpoint Records, 2019. François Couperin: Messe solemnelle à l'usage des paroisses. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Callinet organ in St. Martins-Kirche in Masevaux, France. Germany: Bellaphon Records, 1983. 1 LP. César Franck: Works for organ. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded February 1983 at the Cathédrale St. Croix, Orléans, France. Counterpoint Records, 2020. Jean Adam Guilain: Suites for organ. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Rieger Organ of the Abteikirche, Marienstatt. Neckargemünd, Germany: Da Camera, 1974. DaCa 93 263. 1 LP. Felix Mendelssohn: Complete organ works. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded on the Silbermann organ in Saint Pierre-le-Jeune, Strassburg, and the Metzler organ in the Jesuitenkirche, Lucerne, during the summer of 1982. Düsseldorf, Germany: Schwann Musica Mundi, 1983. 3 LPs. Olivier Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded February 1983 at the Cathédrale St. Croix in Orléans, France. Counterpoint Records, 2020. Johann Pachelbel: Organ Works Vol. 1. Prelude in d; Fantasia in g; Toccatas in C, C, c, e & g; Ricercari in c & f-sharp; Fugues in C, D & d; Komm, Gott Schöpfer heilger Geist; Gott der Vater wohn uns bei; Ciaconas in d & f; Three Christmas Chorales. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded in September 1998 at St. Peter and Paul, Weissenau (Germany). Naxos 8.554380. 1 CD. Max Reger: Organ works. Two Chorale Fantasias op. 40; Chorale Fantasia on "Wachet auf" op. 52 No. 2. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Rieger Organ of the Abteikirche, Marienstatt. Neckargemünd, Germany: Da Camera, 1976. 1 LP. Max Reger: Organ works. Monologue op. 63 (excerpts), 52 easy preludes to common evangelical chorales op. 67 (excerpts). Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Rieger Organ of the Abteikirche, Marienstatt. Neckargemünd, Germany: Da Camera, 1978. 1 LP. Max Reger zum 125. Geburtstag. Variations and Fugue on a theme by Mozart op. 132a for two pianos; Fantasia and fugue on BACH op. 46; Chorale Fantasia on "Halleluja! Gott zu loben" op. 52 No. 3. Wolfgang Rübsam (op. 52) and Andreas Rothkopf (op. 46), pianos and organ. Recorded September 1998 at Fulda Cathedral (op. 46 & 52) and the Hochschule für Musik Saar in Saarbrücken, Germany (op. 132a). Mainz: Wergo, 1998. Max Reger: Organ works, Vol. 15. Wolfgang Rübsam, organ. Recorded at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, University of Chicago. Naxos 8.572908. 1 CD. Josef Rheinberger: Organ Works Vol. 1. Sonata I in c minor op. 28; Sonata II in A-Flat major op. 65; Sonata III in G major op. 88; Sonata IV in a minor op. 98.