DANCING DAY – MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS
Choir of Men & Boys of ST THOMAS, FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK
JOHN SCOTT, Conductor
SARA CUTLER, Harp, STEPHEN BUZARD & BENJAMIN SHEEN, Organ
RESONUS RES10158 (63’58)
This is a lovely recording of seasonal works from the 20th and 21st Centuries based on medieval texts and melodies. There are two main works – Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols & Rutter’s Dancing Day. Both of these also feature the harp which adds a further link to the past and variety of timbre. The CD opens with Matthew Martin’s lively Novo profuse gaudio. There is a poignancy to this release in that it includes an arrangement by the much lamented Philip Ledger of the Sussex Carol and that John Scott died unexpectedly in August. A lasting record of John Scott’s work with this choir.
NOVA! NOVA! – CONTEMPORARY CAROLS FROM ST CATHARINE’S
Choirs of ST CATHARINE’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
EDWARD WICKHAM, Conductor, WILL FAIRBAIRN, Organ
RESONUS RES 10159 (66’00)
Edward Wickham presents the girls choir and mixed student choir in a programme that mixes the sacred and secular, as carols have done for centuries. Some of the carols are commissions for St Catharine’s. Many familiar contemporary composers are featured including Sally Beamish, John Tavener, James MacMillan and Roxana Panufnik. Two extended compositions are included – Christopher Fox’ A dream of winter and Stevie Wishart’s Three Carols. These together with six other carols are world premiere recordings. An interesting showcase of recent Christmas compositions.
L’ORGUE SYMPHONIQUE – FRENCH ORGAN WORKS FROM WINDSOR CASTLE
RICHARD PINEL, Harrison & Harrison organ, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle
RESONUS RES 10160 (74’40)
Fine examples of French symphonic organ works are to be found on this CD. Richard Pinel presents a wonderfully evocative programme, showing his own musicianship and the suitability of this organ for this repertoire. Roger-Ducasse’s one movement Pastorale follows the contrasting five movements of Vierne’s Symphony No 2 in E minor. The disc ends with Durufle’s Suite, Op 5 which begins in dark, brooding fashion and ends with a brilliant Toccata. I really enjoyed this CD.
J.S.BACH ORGAN WORKS VOL 3
ROBERT QUINNEY, Metzler organ of Trinity College Chapel, Cambridge
CORO COR 16132
The two previous Bach volumes by Robert Quinney have presented interesting and well balanced programmes, sympathetically played on this beautiful new organ. This volume does not disappoint. Here we have Fantasia & Fugue in G minor, 3 Preludes on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, Pastorella, Prelude & Fugue in C (BWV547), Canonic variations on Vom Himmel hoch and Prelude & Fugue in G (BWV541). There is a freshness to some of these recordings even when the music is quite familiar. Lovely!
J S BACH – 18 LEIPZIG CHORALES
ALEXANDER KNYAZEV, Walcker organ of the Riga Dome
MELCD 10 02397 (106’58) (2 CDs)
I haven’t encountered many Russian organists so it was good to find this CD from Alexander Knyazev, who graduated from two Russian conservatoires specialising in a different instrument at each – organ and cello. Here we have a complete recording of Bach’s so-called Leipzig Chorales – part of a collection of revised compositions from throughout his life which Bach made in the last decade of his life, selected as being particularly significant to him. Although performed very well I didn’t initially like the sound of this recording. The cavernous acoustic made for some indistinct lines and overall blurriness. However, the varied registration and sympathetic interpretation of these settings drew me in. A welcome addition to the host of recent all-Bach releases.
CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR – THE ORGAN SYMPHONIES VOL 4
JOSEPH NOLAN, Cavaille-Coll organ of La Madeleine, Paris
SIGNUM CLASSICS SIGCD337 (98’03) 2 CDs
Joseph Nolan’s complete Widor symphonies cycle continues with this 4th volume. Symphony No 7 & Symphony No 8 are featured on this double CD. Both large scale works are expertly performed here on an authentic instrument. Mr Nolan’s performances allow this music to truly come alive and to appear fresh and exciting. Vol 5 is due to be released very soon. Music to be immersed in.
MASAAKI SUZUKI PLAYS BACH ORGAN WORKS
Schnitger/Hinz organ in the Martinikerk, Groningen, The Netherlands
BIS BIS-2111 (79’26) Hybrid CD/SACD
A new recording of organ music by JS Bach is not an uncommon thing. I often wonder why so many recordings continue to be made, especially when they feature Toccata & Fugue in D minor, BWV565. However, good programming, mixing the familiar with the less so and with variety of style and registration, performed by a sympathetic and talented organist on a splendid instrument, can still excite and entertain. Such is the case with this CD from Masaaki Suzuki on the Groningen organ. The recording is superbly produced. The programme includes the extended Pastorale in F major, Partita: O Gott, du frommer Gott and the Canonic variations: Vom Himmel hoch da komm’ ich her’ alongside the E minor and G major Prelude & Fugue and the Fantasia in G major.
MAX REGER – COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS
Christian Barthen, Stefan Frank, Bernard Haas, Hans-Jurgen Kaiser, Edgar Krapp, Ludger Lohmann, Wolfgang Rubsam, Josef Still, Kirsten Strurm & Martin Welzel
organs of Evangelical Church, Giengen an der Brenz – Fulda Cathedral – Trier Cathedral – Passau Cathedral – St Martin’s Cathedral, Rottenburg am Neckar – Christuskirche, Mannheim – Rockefeller Chapel, University of Chicago.
NAXOS 8.501601 (over 19’) 16CDs
Described as “the greatest German composer for organ since Johann Sebastian Bach” Reger’s catalogue is prolific. Here Naxos has created a wonderful collection of his complete organ works. Large scale compositions include the Symphonic Fantasia & Fugue & Fantasy & Fugue on B-A-C-H. Alongside these are the exstensive chorale settings and smaller scale pieces . The use of twelve organists and seven different instruments brings added variety and interest to this most useful and well-presented set. A very useful reference work as well as a source of hours of entertainment and inspiration.
SP
