FRANCK - COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS, VOL. 3         AUDITE 91.520

The composer and organist César-Auguste-Jean-Guillaume-Hubert Franck was born in Liège in 1822 and studied music there before going to the Paris Conservatoire. He briefly returned to Belgium, but went back to Paris in 1844 and remained there for the rest of his life, making his living by teaching and as an organist. In 1858, he became organist at the basilica Sainte-Clotilde, where he remained until his death. His first organ compositions were published in 1868, when he was 46 years old. He was also professor of Organ at the Paris Conservatoire, where his pupils included Vincent d’Indy, Ernest Chausson, Louis Vierne, and Henri Duparc. As an organist he was particularly noted for his skill in improvisation, but it is on the basis of twelve major works that Franck is considered the greatest organ composer after J S Bach. Although his output of compositions was small, it was hugely influential, laying the groundwork for the French great symphonic organ style. This new double SACD contains his masterful Trois Chorals, written in 1890 after the composer was involved in the serious traffic accident that eventually resulted in his death. The album, subtitled ‘Fulfilment and Farewell’, also includes 7 Pièces pour Orgue ou Harmonium and completes an exemplary three-volume series from Audite that features all of César Franck’s organ music together for the first time. VOL. 1 is titled ‘From Prodigy to Composer’ (AUDITE 91.518) and VOL. 2 is ‘Unrecognised Greatness’ (AUDITE 91.519). In addition to all the major works, the series has many smaller treasures and at least 40 minutes of first recordings, including two works discovered during the 1970s and 1980s and the works for harmonium in their entirety in their versions for organ. Hans-Eberhard Roß, Cantor of the Deanery St. Martin in Memmingen, plays the Goll Organ - its warm, soft sound, resulting from widely constructed pipes, creating an unobtrusive power and fullness.

PRIORY LP ARCHIVE SERIES, VOL. 7                 PRIORY  PRCD 919

This is the seventh release in Priory’s invaluable series, re-issuing for the first time on CD some of the best of the label’s recordings made in the LP era. Using cedar technology, recordings from the 1980s have been expertly cleaned up and remastered. Recorded in magnificent settings such as St Albans Abbey, Wells Cathedral and Bath Abbey, the organists here are Stephen Darlington, Colin Andrews, Christopher Brayne, Arthur Wills and Dudley Holdroyd. The music is by Camille Saint-Saëns, the British composer Paul Patterson, Jean Langlais, Arthur Wills, Guy Weitz, Marcel Dupré and Louis-Claude Daquin. VOL. 3 in the series (PRCD 915) features Peter Gould, Malcolm Archer, Andrew Armstrong and Paul Derrett performing March Heroque (Herbert Brewer), Derbyshire Marches 1 & 2 (Haydn), Variations on Herr Jesu Christ zu uns wend (Georg Bohm), Toccatina (Walter Alcock), Allegro Martiale (Harold Greenhill), Introduction and Passacaglia (Max Reger), A Fancy (Thomas Tomkins), Air Berceuse and Procession (Herbert Sumsion), Variations on Eris een Kindeke geboren op ard (Willem Mudde), Pastorale (Joseph Bonnet), Madrigal (Edwin Lemare), Elegy (George Thalben Ball) and Introduction and Allegro (Francis Bache). The organs are those of of Derby Cathedral, Bristol Cathedral, Dunfermline Abbey and St Alkmund’s Church in Whitchurch. VOL. 4 (PRCD 916) has recordings made between 1982 and 1984 in Kidderminster Town Hall (with organist Andrew Millington), Guildford Cathedral (Philip Moore), the Albert Hall (Michael Overbury) and Coventry Cathedral (Christopher Bowers-Broadbent). The music is by Elgar (Sonata No 2 in B flat), Louis Vierne, Saint-Saëns (Fantasie in D flat), Charles Tournemire (Improvisation on Te Deum) and Herbert Howells (three Rhapsodies).

BACH – ORGAN CHORALES    PRIORY PRCD 820

J S Bach (1685-1750) was a composer and organist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments brought together almost all of the strands of the baroque style and brought it to its ultimate maturity. Although he introduced no new musical forms, he enriched the prevailing German style with a robust and dazzling contrapuntal technique, a seemingly effortless control of harmonic and organisation from the smallest to the largest scales, and the adaptation of rhythms and textures from abroad, particularly Italy and France. Bach’s forceful suavity and vast output have earned him wide acknowledgment as one of the greatest composers in the Western tonal tradition, revered for his music’s intellectual depth, technical command and artistic beauty. The collection of Organ Chorales BWV 651-668, known as the Leipziger Chorales (formerly the ‘Eighteen Chorales’), were composed between 1708 and 1719 when Bach was employed as Kapellmeister in Weimar. Together with the Clavier Ubung part III, the Orgelbüchlein, and the Schübler Chorales, the Leipziger Chorales form the bulk of Bach’s chorale-based organ compositions. On this new recording, Andrew Arthur performs twelve of the chorales on a modern day organ - the Rieger of St Marylebone Church, London - as well as the brilliant Prelude & Fugue in A minor, which also probably dates from Bach’s Leipzig period. These quintessential Bach chorales can also be heard played by Gillian Weir on Priory PRCD 800.

PARISIAN SPLENDOUR - DAVID M PATRICK       PRIORY PRCD 213

David M. Patrick, born in 1947, is one of the best British organists of his generation. After graduating with distinction from the Royal College of Music, he decided to specialise in the romantic and modern French repertoire, accepting the challenge of playing organ music of the highest technical and artistic standard. He has long championed somewhat neglected works by composers such as Charles-Marie Widor, Louis Vierne and Maurice Duruflé, and recorded this varied selction of French virtuoso music at Buckfast Abbey in 1987. 'Parisian Splendour' includes the Fantaisie in E flat by Camille Saint-Saëns, the famous Toccata (Symphonie No. 5 in F) by Widor, Allegro Vivace (Symphonie No. 1 in D) by Vierne, and Toccata from the Suite (1932) by Duruflé. The other pieces are by Joseph Bonnet (Romance sans paroles), Eugene Gigout (Toccata in B minor), Jehan Alain, Charles Tournemire, Louis Lefébure-Wély (Elévation No. 4), Alexandre Guilmant, Leon Boëllmann and Théodore Dubois. Made in 1922, the splendid Buckfast Abbey organ was re-specified in 1952 as a four manual instrument, with 70 speaking stops on which both classical and modern works can be played with equal facility.

STANLEY VANN/KENNETH LEIGHTON - GARY SIELING     PRIORY PRCD 827

Stanley Vann, born in 1910, was the assistant organist at Leicester Cathedral and Chorus Master of Leicester Philharmonic for Sir Henry Wood and Sir Malcolm Sargent. He later became organist at Chelmsford and Peterborough Cathedrals, and composed eight Masses, fourteen Evening Services, many motets, anthems and organ pieces. Kenneth Leighton was born in Wakefield and studied at Oxford and with Petrassi in Rome before going on to teach at Edinburgh University. His compositions include two symphonies, eight concertos for various solo instruments, an opera and some fine church music, as well as a wide range of chamber, instrumental and vocal works. This invaluable CD contains first recordings of short organ pieces by nine British composers, including Stanely Vann and Gary Sieling, who came together after the death of Kenneth Leighton in 1988 to compose works for a tribute album. This is included here together with the major organ works of Stanley Vann, who is so far much under-represented in the catalogues. Gary Sieling recorded his exemplary performances on the two organs in Chelmsford Cathedral - the first commercial recording of these instruments.

VICTORIAN ORGAN SONATAS, VOL. 3       PRIORY PRCD 812

Percy C. Buck  (1871-1947) was an English writer on music as well as a music editor, teacher, composer and organist. He studied at the Royal College of Music before becoming director of music at Harrow School and was subsequently appointed organist of Worcester  College, Oxford. In 1910 he became professor of music at Trinity College, Dublin. In both his teaching and writing, Buck was influential in advancing a more liberal treatment of examination in music theory. He also co-edited The English Psalter (1929), The Oxford Song Book (1931) and The Oxford Nursery Song Book (1934). His published works include various piano pieces, anthems and songs, as well as the three accomplished organ sonatas heard on this illuminating CD. Rupert Gough plays the superb Willis Organ of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Henry Willis and Sons built the instrument in 1902 (it was restored in 1964 and 1994) it is still considered the finest romantic organ in Ireland, with 65 speaking stops and over 4000 pipes.

TOUCH DOWN IN RIGA - IVETA APKALNA       QUERSTAND VKJK 0404

Concert organist Iveta Apkalna, one of Latvia’s most acclaimed artists abroad, recently returned to her homeland after a four month concert tour leading her through festivals in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Finland. She recorded her second CD, ‘Touch down in Riga’, last autumn on the famous historic organ in Riga Dom Cathedral. This wonderful instrument has more than 6768 pipes and 124 stops and was built by the German company E.F.Walcker & Co in 1883/84, when it was considered  the largest and most modern of the world. On this exhilarating CD Iveta Apkalna plays two pieces of splendid German Romantic music by Max Reger (Erste Sonate and Wie schön leucht’ uns der Morgenstern) as well as two adventurous contemporary works by Naji Hakim (Bagatelle) and Péteris Vasks (Cantus ad pacem).

GIGOUT - THE COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS, VOL 3           PRIORY PRCD 763

Eugene Gigout (1844-1925) held the post of organist for most of his career at the church of St. Augustin in paris. As well as being one of the finest early 20th century organists, he travelled and performed widely, was professor of organ at the Paris Conservatory and wrote a great deal of organ music, including 400 short pieces with pedal ad lib, and church music. Among his friends Fauré and Saint-Saëns, with whom he studied at the Neidermeyer School in Paris. Gigout’s scholarly and austere style can be heard at its purest on this latest CD in the Priory series, with Gerard Brooks playing the splendid Organ of St Etiennes in Caen. The works featured include Dix Pièces and Poemes Mystiques.

PRIORY LP ARCHIVE SERIES, VOL. I             PRIORY PRCD 913

This is the first volume in an intriguing series is a double album. On the first disc David Hill plays the restored Willis III Organ at Westminster Cathedral Music, with two works each by Ferenc Liszt (Fantasia and Fugue on Ad nos, ad salutarem undam and Adagio in D flat) and  Healey Willan (Introduction, Passacaglia & Fugue and Postlude in D). On the second disc, John Porter plays the Organ of St. George's Chapel, Windsor. Music includes pieces by Sidney Campbell, William Harris, J.S. Bach, Jean Langlais and Joseph Jongen.

THE ORGAN MUSIC OF GOTTFRIED SILBERMANN, VOL. 7   QUERSTAND VKJK 0304

This is the penultimate volume in the projected series of eight devoted to music on organs created by the great Gottfried Silbermann. The organ which made Silbermann famous, launching him emphatically into the first rank of organ builders, is the great organ in the cathedral at Freiberg. Dietrich Wagler has been the cathedral organist for 15 years and probably knows this world-renowned instrument better than any other organist of modern times. Since 1939, another Silbermann organ has been housed in the cathedral, a smaller instrument which was to be found originally in the Freiberger Johanniskirche. Dietrich Wagler plays several works on both of these magnificent instruments on this album, as well as performing on other Silbermann.organs at Helbigsdorf and Oederan. The music includes compositions by Johann Kuhnau, Georg Muffat,  J.S. Bach and Felix Mendelssohn.

THE ORGAN MUSIC OF GOTTFRIED SILBERMANN, VOL. 1   QUERSTAND VKJK 0022

This is the first volume in an ambitious projected series of eight devoted to the complete recording of music on organs created by the great Gottfried Silbermann, marking the 250th anniversary of his death in 1753. All 32 remaining instruments from the  famous saxon organ builder are featured, with one oganist playing four instruments on each CD. The first volume has Ewald Koolman and the organs of Freiberg/St. Petri, Tiefenau, Niederschona and Gosshartmannsdorf. The music is mostly by J. S. Bach, with other well-chosen compositions by Johann Bernhard Bach, Johann Rudolf Ahle and Johann Christoph Kellner. Other performers in this valuable series so far are Felix Friedrich (Vol. 2 VKJK 0207), Jean Ferrard (Vol. 3 VKJK 0219) and Martin Haselbock (Vol. 4 VKJK 0220).

LEIPZIG CHORALES - J. S. BACH               RAVEN  OAR-520

On this impressive double-CD the fine American organist Peter Sykes performs Johann Sebastian Bach’s complete Leipzig Chorales, played on the magnificent, free-standing organ built by Fritz Noack as opus 135 in 1999 for Langholtskirkja in Reykjavik, Iceland. Wonderful acoustics, beautifully paced peformances and a splendid instrument combine to reveal the full extent of Bach’s unsurpassed originality, energy and creativity.

THE COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS OF OLIVIER MESSIAEN, VOL. 2 PRIORY  PRCD 922.

Originally recorded for Collins Classics in association with BBC Radio 3, this second CD of a projected six  volumes features the incomparable Dame Gillian Weir. These ledgendary recordings were made at Århus Cathedral in Denmark, with its wonderful acoustics. All the tracks in this new series have been digitally re-mastered and there are extensive programme notes. ‘One of the most impressive recording projects I have ever encountered’ - Independent on Sunday. ‘This is a Messiaen cycle that should now enter the shelves of every devotee of his music as a preferred version’ - BBC Music Magazine.

HERBERT HOWELLS - CANTICLES, VOL. 3           PRIORY 782.

In this third volume of Priory’s exemplary series featuring the Complete Morning and Evening Canticles of Herbert Howells, the expressive Collegiate Singers are directed by Andrew Millinger and the organist is Richard Moorhouse. Among the works here are St Augustine's Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (written in 1967), Dallas Canticles (1975) and Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for St. Paul's Cathedral (1951). This is inspiring and beautiful music.

OLSSON - ORGAN MUSIC, VOL. 2           DAPHNE 1013.

Otto Olsson composed this collection of twelve pieces on Organ Motives in 1908. The order of the pieces follows the ecclesiastical year, each being based on a hymn associated with a particular feast day. This CD also includes the Fantasy and Fugue, Vi lofve dig, o store Gud, conceived on a grand scale and requiring the resources of a large organ. The piece alternates between solemn austerity, meditative calm and spirited polyphony. Sverker Jullander, one of Sweden’s finest organ players, uses the Setterquist & Son organ in Kristinehamn Church. With three manuals and 43 stops, this instrument is typical of the late Romantic Swedish tradition.

DE TEMPORE - HENNING FRIEDERICHS           QUERSTAND VKJK 0117.

This invaluable recording features eight organ works by the distinguished composer, Henning Friederichs. These include his remarkable Depraefugium a-moll (played by Ellen Beinert), ‘Gott, heilger Schöpfer aller Stern’ (Kirsten Schweimler), ‘Fürwahr, er trug unsere Krankheit’ (Helmut Fleinghaus), Choralpartita aus dem Oratorium ‘Petrus’ (Tilmann Benfer), ‘Veni, creator, imple ...’ (Johannes Geffert), Ciaconia ‘Vater unser im Himmelreich’ (Beate Rux-Voss), Partita ‘De profundis’ (Almuth Reuther) and ‘Nachklänge ...’ (Ruth Forsbach).

RHEINBERGER ORGAN SONATAS         RAVEN OAR-530.

Bruce Stevens performs three inspired organ sonatas by Josef Rheinberger, playing three different historic American instruments. The works are Sonata 5 in F-sharp major, Op. 111 (1879 E. & G. G. Hook and Hastings organ, St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Orange, New Jersey), Sonata 4 in A minor, Op. 98 (1868 E. & G. G. Hook organ, St. Joseph's University Chapel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Sonata 19 in G minor, Op. 193 (1861 E. & G. G. Hook/1902 Hook and Hastings organ, Immaculate Conception Church, Boston, Massachusetts).

POPULAR ORGAN MUSIC, VOL. 5         PRIORY PCD 599.

The assured soloist Judith Hancock plays the Arents Memorial Organ of Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York. Her chosen works are by Bach (Partita diverse sopra ‘Sei gegrüsset, Jesu gütit’, Chorale Prelude ‘Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier’, Chorale Prelude ‘Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier), Karg-Elert (Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König, Chorale Prelude ‘Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier’), Mozart (Adagio, Allegro, Adagio), Sowerby (Prelude on ‘Malabar’) and Ginastera (Toccata, Villancico y Fuga).

POPULAR ORGAN MUSIC, VOL. 6          PRIORY PCD 695.

Among the delightful pieces on this enjoyable CD are compositions by J S Bach (Fantasia ‘In dulci Jubilo’, Sonatina from Cantata 106 ‘Actus tragicus’, Prelude and Fugue in major), Boyce, arr. Hutchings (Gavot, from Symphony No. 4), Brahms (Chorale Prelude ‘Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele’), Whitlock (Paean, from ‘Five Short Pieces’), Elgar, arr. Grey (Salut d’Amour), Thalben-Ball (Elegy), Willan (Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue), Howells (Psalm Prelude Set 1 No. 1), Karg-Elert (Chorale-Improvisation ‘Nun danket alle Gott’), Fauré, arr. Stevenson (Après un Rêve), Vierne (Final, from Symphony No. 1. The Organ of Truro Cathedral is thrillingly played by Andrew Nethsingha.

JOHN NEAR - THE BOSTON YEARS         RAVEN OAR-620.

On this outstanding double-CD collection John R. Near superbly plays the 237-rank Aeolian-Skinner Organ at The Mother Church in Boston. The admirable music is by, among others, Durufle, Messiaen (Dieu Parmi Nous), Gigout, Widor (Near was Widor’s biographer and editor of the definitive edition of his organ works), Dupre, Franck (Choral No. 1 in E), Kodaly and Vaughan Williams (The Old Hundredth).

SUSAN MOESER PLAYS BEDIENT OPUS 59           RAVEN OAR-490.

Susan Moeser performed this program as the opening recital of the Region VI Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Omaha, Nebraska, in June 1999. The organ of two manuals, 22 ranks, and 24 stops is placed in the large and resonant space of St. Vincent de Paul Church, where its eclectic resources reside in a west gallery and the console is located below the gallery on the nave floor. Susan Moeser here plays colourful works by William Albright (Sweet Sixteenths), Mozart (Fantasie in F Minor), Schumann, J. S. Bach (Prelude & Fugue in A Minor), Mendelssohn and Cesar Franck (Choral No. 3 in A Minor).

THE GREAT ORGAN AT ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL   REFERENCE RECORDINGS RR–98.

In 1988, ‘Prof.’ Keith Johnson recorded this CD (to be sold only at the Cathedral) of the Great Organ at St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco. This newly-remastered edition, issued with superior graphics and entirely new music notes, features some of the most spectacular organ music ever written, dazzlingly played by John Balka on a huge Ruffatti instrument in a magnificent acoustical environment. There are works by Jeremiah Clarke (Trumpet Voluntary), Johann Walther (Concerto in B minor), Eugene Gigout (Scherzo), Claude Balbastre (Variations on a Noel), Julius Reubke (Fugue), Louis Vierne (Carillon), Charles Marie Widor (Andante Sostenuto from Symphonie gothique) and many others.

DURUFLE - ORGAN MUSIC              MOVE MD 3102.

Sydney-based Edward Theodore has recorded the complete organ works of the French composer and organist, Maurice Duruflé, on the magnificent organ at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne. A former student with Duruflé, Theodore is well qualified to communicate the composer’s distinctive and powerful imagination in this collection of six works, which includes the highly praised Prélude, Adagio and Choral Variations on the theme of the ‘Veni Creator’. The CD also features Fugue on the Theme of the Carillon at Soissons Cathedral, Scherzo Op. 2, Prelude and Fugue on the Name ‘Alain, Introit for the Feast of the Epiphany, Prelude on the Introit for the Feast of the Epiphany and Suite Op. 5. ‘His playing is technically assured and musically refined throughout ... The recording is excellent’ - Victorian Organ Journal.

HISTORIC ORGANS OF MONTREAL             ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OHS-99.

This impressive four-CD set features ten organs built by Casavant, five by S. R. Warren, four by Hellmuth Wolff, three by Guilbault-Thérien, three by Rudolf von Beckerath, two by Mitchell & Forté or Louis Mitchell and single organs built by William Nutting, Eusèbe Brodeur and Edward Lye. The playing by the 40 performers is outstanding, including Ken Cowan’s thrilling Ride of the Valkyries as played on the 1890/ 1924/1991 Casavant 4m at Notre Dame Basilica. Catherine Todorovski brings great musical qualities to her confident performance on the smallest instrument, a 3-rank Warren organ built in Skudamore style in 1871. Parts of the Montréal Organ Book are played by Yves Préfontaine on the enormous organ built in 18th-century French classical style by Guilbault-Thérien in the acoustic grandeur of the seminary chapel. Lucienne and Gaston Arel play Spanish works on the more eclectic Guilbault-Thérien at St. Léon.

MESSIAEN - THE COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS, VOL, 1            PRIORY PRCD 921.

On this first of a projected six volumes, the formidable Dame Gillian Weir plays organ compositions by Olivier Messiaen. Previously available as an acclaimed box set from Collins, these brilliant recordings are now reissued at mid-price after being re-mastered by Priory. The works featured here are Apparition de L’Eglise Eternelle, La Nativite du Seigneur and Le Banquet Celeste, all played in exemplary style on the splendid Organ of Arhus Cathedral, Denmark. ‘One of the most impressive recording projects I have ever encountered’ - Independent on Sunday.

KREBS - COMPLETE WORKS FOR ORGAN, VOL. 8         QUERSTAND VKJK 0107.

In this latest volume of the Querstand’s excellent series ongoing encompassing the entire organ works of Johann Ludwig Krebs, the dexterous Felix Friedrich plays twelve more formidable pieces. These include Fantasia in C ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’ for trumpet and organ (three versions), Trio e-Moll (Andante) and Praeludium und Fuge pro organo pleno G-Dur. The gifted trumpeter is Robert Vanryne.

MUSIC SHE WROTE - ORGAN COMPOSITIONS BY WOMEN        RAVEN OAR-550.

Frances Nobert plays organ works by eleven female composers in a program exploring many works either rarely or not otherwise recorded. The neglected composers include Erzsébet Szönyi (Praeambulum from Six Pieces for Organ), Ester Mägi (Dialog: Prelude with Choral), Margaret Vardell Sandresky (L'homme armé Organ Mass), Orpha Ochse (b. 1925): Chaconne and Emma Lou Diemer (Three American Hymn Preludes). Frances Nobert plays on the famous Rosales/Glatter- Götz organ of 81 ranks on three manuals completed in 1998 at the Congregational Church in Claremont, California.

LEIF KAYSER - ORGAN MUSIC            DACAPO 8.224167.

Leif Kayser (1919-2001) was the most prolific Danish organ composer of the twentieth century, although he is not particularly well known. His Concerto per Organo, included here, deserves a place among the major works of the European organ literature. Each of the pieces on this CD comes from its own decade and range from the energetic outbursts of young manhood to the serenity of maturity. His distinctive music conjures up a matchless world of spiritual richness and beauty, and the assured performer on this recording is Jorgen Ellegard Frederiksen.

J. S. BACH - ORGAN WORKS                   RAVEN OAR-580

On this double-CD set, the formidable George Ritchie plays the Orgelbüchlein of J. S. Bach plus five other compositions on the magnificent 83-rank organ built by Paul Fritts at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington. As well as the Orgelbüchlein, the works included are bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C Major, Fantasy and Fugue in C Minor, Trio Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, Concerto in C Major (after Ernst) and Prelude & Fugue in F Minor.

ORGELBUCHLEIN - CALVIN BOWMAN            MOVE MD3162.

The splendid young Australian rising star Calvin Bowman plays J. S. Bach’s ‘Orgelbüchlein’ (Little Organ Book) on this beautifully paced double-CD. Bowman’s enthusiasm and commitment to Bach's keyboard music is obvious in this performance played on the Ahrend organ, Robert Blackwood Hall, Melbourne. The ‘Orgelbüchlein’ is a record of Bach's inspired improvisations of existing hymn tunes - written down improvisations that provide insight into Bach’s brilliance both as composer and performer. ‘Bowman shows mastery of the organ and a great love for these seductive masterpieces’ - The Melburnian.

VISIONS OF ETERNITY - MARCIA VAN OYEN                RAVEN OAR-570.

On this exhiarating CD, Marcia Van Oyen plays the 1999 John-Paul Buzard organ of three manuals and 69 ranks at Glenview Community Church, Glenview, Illinois. The cleverly-chosen repertoire features profound themes of eternity and resurrection, with composers such as Charles Tournemire (Victimae paschali laudes), Jean Langlais (Hymne d'action de Grâce: Te Deum Op. 5, No. 3), Herbert Howells (Rhapsody in C sharp, Psalm Prelude II) and Cesar Franck (Prière).

THE WORLD OF ORGAN TRANSCRIPTION - DAVID BRIGGS         PRIORY PRCD 794.

David Briggs leaves Gloucester Cathedral as Master of the Music this year to pursue a career as a solo concert recitalist. This vividly recorded CD is a suitable testament of his enormous talent in a recital of orchestral transcriptions by Wagner (arr. Westbrook: The Meistersingers of Nuremberg), Haydn (arr. Ratcliffe: Three Pieces for Musical Clocks), Berlioz (arr. Briggs: Hungarian March), Bach (arr. Briggs: Air on the G string), Grieg (arr: Briggs: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1), Elgar (arr: Briggs: Pomp and Circumstance No. 1), Debussy (arr: Cellier: Sarabande – Pour le piano), Rimsky- Korsakov (arr: Nagel: Flight of the Bumblebee), Saint-Saens (arr. Fox: Poco Adagio from Organ Symphony) and Ravel (arr.Briggs: Daphnis and Chloé 2nd Suite).

AN ORGAN PILGRIMAGE - PETER LATONA         RAVEN OAR-560.

Peter Latona plays the four organs of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, spectacularly recorded in the grand acoustics of the main church. Each instrument is played individually (south gallery organ, chancel organ, and Positiv organ built by M. P. Möller in 1969 and 1984 with about 120 ranks altogether), then the three are joined by the Washington Symphonic Brass for rousing works by Gabrielli (Canzon in echo) and Litaize (Cortége with Brass Ensemble). The fourth organ heard is the fine and much admired Schudi 3-29 tracker in the Crypt Church. Peter Latona, director of music at the National Shrine, plays beautifully, with Robert Grogan and Paul Hardy performing at mulitple consoles in the Gabrieli. There are also works by Guilmant, Leighton, Buxtehude, Brahms, among others.

THE REDDEL MEMORIAL ORGAN - MARTIN JEAN         RAVEN OAR-480.

The famous Reddel Memorial Organ at Valparaiso University is located in the largest collegiate chapel in the world. It comprises 102 ranks as rebuilt and enlarged in 1996 by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Lake City, Iowa. Martin Jean, formerly University Organist at Valparaiso and now associate professor of organ at Yale University, plays with conviction works by William Bolcom, Liszt (Fantasia & Fugue), J. S. Bach (Prelude & Fugue in E minor), Brahms (Fugue in A-flat Minor) and Pachelbel (Ciaconna in F minor).

THE MENDELSSOHN ORGAN - JAMES HAMMANN               RAVEN OAR-500.

Exploring Mendelssohn's own preference of organ style as built by the Stumm Brothers, James Hammann plays an organ such as Mendelssohn chose to play when demonstrating his works for friends. Built in 1785 by the Stumm Brothers, the organ used on this outstanding double-CD set is newly restored in the superb acoustic of St. Ulrich Church in Neckargemünd, Germany. Especially revealing is the very slow speech of the early string stops, bringing a unique effect akin to the glass harmonica which had achieved substantial popularity in Europe.

MODERN ORGAN MUSIC - PETER SYKES             RAVEN OAR-640

The excellent Peter Sykes performs a wide range of intriguing modern music by Paul Hindemith (Sonata I), Anton Heiller (In Festo Corporis Christi), Jon Thorarinsson (Orgelmusik: Preludium, Chorale und Fuge über ein altes Thema), Jon Asgeirsson (Passacaglia), Gunnar Reynir Sveinsson (Jesus, My Morning Star: Meditation for Organ on an Old Child's Hymn), Jon Nordal (A Prelude on a Hymn that was never sung), Daniel Pinkham (Four Epigrams: Flute Soliloquy, Interlude, Reminiscence and Acclamation) and James Woodman (Prelude and Passacaglia - In Festo Pentecostes). Inspired by the modernist architecture of Neskirkja in Iceland and by the breadth of its new organ's musical possibilities, this recording has many connections within and between the cleverly chosen compositions.

MARCEL DUPRE - RENDEZVOUS A SAINT-SULPICE          AEOLUS AE-10221.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the death of the brilliant French composer Marcel Dupre, Suzanne Chaisemartin plays a selection of his works on the Orgue Aristide Cavaille-Coll. Suzanne Chaisemartin brings to this subtle, powerful music all the necessary intelligence and virtuosity. A considerable achievement and a worthy tribute.

MESSIAEN - LIVRE DU SAINT SACREMENT          GUILD GMCD 7228/9.

The Livre du Saint Sacrement (Book of the Blessed Sacrament) for organ, written by Olivier Messiaen in 1984, includes 18 pieces with strong religious themes. Some are short, others more developed, and together they bring to Messiaen's organ works a new sense of drama, explicit in its central movement and implicit in the cumulative effect of the final group of pieces. These alternate energetic activity with serene contemplation, bringing about a sense of heightened attentiveness on the part of the listener. In this fine recording, the Organ of Norwich Cathedral is played with great sensitivity and verve by Anne Page.

HANDEL IN LONDON             QUERSTAND VKJK 0116.

On this recording the outstanding organist Johannes Geffert plays the Byfield Organ in the Parish of St Mary, Rotherhithe, London. All the music is by Handel and the works include his Concerto ‘Judas Maccabaus’, eight tunes for Mr Clay’s musical clock, two voluntaries, Concerto 13 ‘Kuckuck und Nachtingall’ and the wonderful Coronation Anthem from Zadok the Priest.

GREAT EUROPEAN ORGANS, NO. 61              PRIORY PRCD 689.

Continuing the excellent Priory series that features some of the best organs in Europe, Roger Judd plays three fine instruments located in the Church of St Laurenskerk, Rotterdam. These are a large organ in the west wall, a high transept organ and a small, one-manual choir organ. The music has been carefully chosen to complement these instruments and includes works by Robert Schumann (Six Fugues on Bach), Egon Wellesz (Patita in honorem J S Bach), Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (Variations on Onder een linde groen) and Peter Racine Fricker (Pastorale).

GREAT EUROPEAN ORGANS, NO. 64                PRIORY PRCD 767.

Daniel Roth plays the wonderful Cavaille-Coll Organ of Saint-Sulpice in Paris. On this recording there are works by the performer (extracts from Livre d’Orgue pour le Magnificat) as well as by Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers, Louis-Nicolas Clerambualt, Nicolas Sejan (Noel Suisse), Georges Schmitt (Offertoire in A major), Louis James Alfred Lefebure-Wly, Charles-Marie Widor (Adagio from Symphony No. 8), Jean-Jaques Grunewld and Marcel Dupre (Paraphrase sur le Te Deum).

ORGANS IN HANNOVER             QUERSTAND VKJK-0108.

Four historic organs in the Hannover area of Germany are explored by the organist and historian Felix Friedrich, with Bernd Bartels playing trumpet. The works include Handel’s Suite in D for Trumpet & Organ, Johann Peter Kellner’s Prelude & Fugue in F, Pietro Baldassare’s Sonata in F for Trumpet & Organ, Christian Heinrich Rinck’s Prelude in C, Telemann’s Concerto in D for Trumpet & Organ, and the Fugue in D by J S Bach.

JOHAN LUDWIG KREBS - COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS         PRIORY PRCD 735.

John Kitchen plays the Organ of St Salvator’s Chapel at the University of St Andrews in volume two of the complete organ works of Johann Ludwig Krebs. These include his Toccata in E, numerous fine Chorales and the Trio in D minor. Exemplary throughout.

GREAT EUROPEAN ORGANS, NO. 57            PRIORY PRCD 680.

David Briggs plays the Lewis Organ in the Church of the Evangelist, Upper Norwood, London. Famous composers such as Mendelssohn (War March of the Priests), Sir Hubert Parry and Frank Bridge (Adagio) mingle with the less well-known William Faulkes, Charles Macpherson and Cuthbert Harris.

GREAT EUROPEAN ORGANS, NO. 60              PRIORY PRCD 687.

Adrian Partington performs many splendid works by, among others, Samuel Barber (Variations on the Shape-note Hymn: Wondrous Love), Aaron Copland (Passacaglia), Max Reger, Andrew Carter and Hugh Blair (Sunset Hour, Postlude). The fine instrument used is the Willis Organ of Reading Town Hall.

VICTORIAN ORGAN SONATAS, VOL. 1            PRIORY PRCD 756.

These fascinating late eighteenth century sonatas are played with affection by John Kitchen at the Organ in the McEwan Hall, University of Edinburgh. There are interesting works by the half-forgotten composers John E West, Hugh Blair and W Battison Haynes.

REUBKE & LISZT - ROBERTA GARY          ARSIS CD 128.

The brilliant organist Roberta Gary plays two great masterworks from the 19th century repertoire: Julius Reubke’s Sonata, Psalm 94 and the Fantasy & Fugue on the hymn "Ad nos, Ad Salutarem Undam" by Franz List. This recording on the wonderful, historic French romantic style organ at the Trés–Saint–Nom–de–Jésus Church, Montreal, Québec in Canada brings out all the subtlety and grandeur of the music, with clean but expansive acoustics. Outstanding performances of these incredibly beautiful works.

THE NEW BACH ORGAN AT THOMASKIRCHE           QUERSTAND VKJK-0120.

The New Bach Organ is at Thomaskirche in Leipzig replicates the one that J S Bach knew in his hometown of Eisenach. Built in 1696-1707 by Georg Christoph Stertzing, the original instrument’s 60-stop specification was designed by Bach’s uncle for St. George’s Church. The remarkable organbuilder Gerald Woehl reproduction of it includes a feature for tuning to the ‘choir pitch’of Bach’s day and a device which can lower the pitch of the entire organ to baroque chamber pitch for performance with other instruments. The performer on this recording is Ullrich Bohme, and the works include J S Bach’s Prelude & Fugue in C and Piece d’Orgue in G as well as pieces by Vivaldi/Bach (Concerto in D) and C P E Bach.

ORGAN MASTER SERIES, VOLUME 2             PRIORY PRCD 752.

Gillian Weir’ second recording in Priory’s Organ Masters Series comes from Hexham Abbey in Northumberland, and the instrument she plays so brilliantly was designed and built by her late husband, Laurence Phelps. There are works by, among others, J S Bach, Mozart, Hindemith (Sonata for Organ) and Jean Francaix (Suite Carmelite, Suite Profane).

WIDOR/DUPRE - TON REIJNAERDTS             TRA 2000-03.

Dutch organist and photographer Ton Reijnaerdts is based in the Netherlands town of Maastricht. On this CD he performs two imposing and technically demanding works, one by Charles-Marie Widor (his Organ Symphony No. 8) and the other by Widor’s brilliant pupil Marcel Dupré (Suite Bretonne, Op. 21). The music is admirably suited to the superb organ at Rochester Cathedral. ‘Ton Reijnaerdts playing is persuasive, stepping above the music's immediate barrier of extreme length to present a unified whole’ - The Organ.

DUPRE/FRANCK/WIDOR - MICHAEL MURRAY             TELARC CD-80516.

Michael Murray plays works by three great organist/composers who have connections with the organ at St. Sulpice in Paris, which Albert Schweitzer called “the most beautiful organ in the world". Cesar Franck was among the performers at the organ’s inauguration, Widor became the church’s organist, and his composition pupil Dupre was first Widor’s assistant and later organist in his own right. Dupre trained Murray, who on this recording brings out the best in this fine historic instrument. The works featured are Cesar Franck’s majestic Grand Piece symphonique, the splendid Finale from Charles-Marie Widor’s Symphony No. 6, and six compositions by Marcel Dupre (Magnificat and an Antiphon from the 15 Pieces, the Carillon, Choral et Fugue, the Cortege et Litanie, Op. 19, No. 2; and the Final, Op. 27, No. 7.

THE COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS OF EUGENE GIGOUT          PRIORY PRCD 761.

This is the first CD in a projected series of five, which will eventually contain all the organ works written by the French composer Eugene Gigout. All the music will be performed on instruments which Gigout himself might have played, as is the case in this recording of the Organ of Perpignan Cathedral, with its splendid acoustics. Gerard Brooks, a fine interpreter of French music, performs Rhapsodie sur des Airs Catalans, Suite de Six Pieces and Trois pieces. ‘This is a programme of immensely enjoyable music, all of which bears repeated listening and certainly deserves a place both in the catalogues and on the shelves of lovers of good organ music’ - Gramophone.

THE MENDELSSOHN ORGAN            RAVEN OAR-510.

On this double CD the telented American organist and teacher James Hamann plays a variety of works by Mendelssohn, including his Six Sonatas for Organ, Opus 65. When the composer wrote these sonatas in 1845 he first played them to friends on organs built by the Stumm Brothers. This excellent recording ensures authenticity by performing Mendelssohn’s great music on a finely restored Stumm organ at St Ulrich Church in Neckargemund, a small town near Heidelberg.

A WALTON AND FINZI ORGAN ALBUM             PRIORY PRCD 591.

Robert Glover plays the Organ of Hereford Cathedral in these works by William Walton and Gerald Finzi. The performer has skilfully arranged many of the pieces himself, including Walton’s stirring Henry V Suite and Finzi’s delightful Romance.

MONUMENTAL TOWN ORGANS OF MAASTRICHT - VOL I             TRA 2001-04.

Ton Reijnaerdts plays a wide range of splendid historic organs in the ancient, picturesque town of Maastricht. The music on this fine double CD is extremely varied too, including works by J S Bach (Toccata and Fugue in F, etc), Thomas Tallis, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (Echo Fantasia), Dietrich Buxtehude (Canzonetta), Handel (Fugue in G), Cesar Franck (Prelude, Fugue, Variation), Jean Langlais (Elevation, Communion) and Louis Vierne. ‘Ton Reijnaerdts is a man who can tackle anything. He plays Sweelinck with the same ease as he plays Vierne’ - Nederlands Dagblad.

THE RIEGER AT SCOTS’               MOVE MD 3244.

The internationally renowned organist, harpsichordist and conductor Douglas Lawrence performs glorious music that reveals the wide tonal palette available on the recently completed Rieger organ at The Scots’ Church in Melbourne, Australia. The music chosen includes pieces by Buxtehude, Pachelbel, J S Bach, Francois Couperin and Mendelssohn.