THE BRITANNIC ORGAN VOL 11 – Historic Improvisations by British & German organists
Welte-Philharmonie organ, Museum fur Musikautomaten, Seewen.
OEHMS OC 850 (2 CDs) 74’41 & 68’22
I continue to enjoy the releases in this series. They can be savoured on different levels – as a record of the reproducing technology, of the organ itself, as a social history document and here as genuine “recordings” of expert exponents of the art of organ improvisation.
The first CD contains recordings from rolls of William Wolstenholme, Alfred Hollins and Edwin Lemare – all of whom are very familiar names from the British concert organ scene. It was not easy to pick out much familiar thematic material on either disc. Here, though, I particularly enjoyed Lemare’s improvisation on The Swannee River (Old Folks at Home) and the more extended Improvisation on a theme of Alfred Hollins. The longest track is Wolstenholme’s Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden. These longer improvisations provide an excellent range of contrasting registrations.
The German improvisers on CD2 were not familiar to me. They are Carl Hofner, Kurt Grosse, Paul Mania, Otto Dunkelberg & Henry Burkard. Familiar material can be heard in Mania’s Fantasie uber Wagner’sche Themen, the longest improvisation on this disc. His Gavotte is much more playful, as is Burkard’s Stummfilm-improvisation – which really does conjure up silent movie scenes. The other familiar thematic material is to be found in Mania’s Fantasie uber alte niederlandische Lieder which includes the familiar Pilgrim’s hymn. Another fascinating volume.
Mahler: Symphony No2 (arr for piano four hands)
Maasa Nakazawa & Suhrud Athavale
NAXOS 8.573350
Once one has got used to the dynamic range of four hands at one piano to represent the might of Mahler’s orchestration for the Resurrection Symphony this actually works really well and allows us to hear many details which pass unnoticed in the vast canvas, particularly of the final movement. At other times it is interesting to hear just how close the musical lines are to each other, with the reduced dynamic helping us to hear afresh the intimacy of much of the writing. This was obviously a labour of love for Bruno Walter making the original arrangement at a time when few would be able to hear the work live, but even today it has an important place among Mahler recordings.
Philip Glass: Glassworlds 3; Metamorphosis
Nicolas Horvath, piano
GRANDPIANO GP691
This collection includes Metamorphosis I – V as well as the extended Trilogy Sonata based on Satyagraha. Philip Glass’ compositions transfer easily to the piano and I found this a very appealing recording. All the more so as it includes a number of short works we have not heard on record before, including the very early Piano Sonatina which predates minimalism.
Copland: Billy the Kid & Rodeo
Colorado Symphony, Andrew Litton
BIS 2164
A popular collection of familiar pieces with the addition of the rarer An Outdoor Overture from 1938, the same year as Billy the Kid. All well played and given a bright intensity from the Colorado Symphony.
Chopin: Piano Concertos 51621 & 2
Joseph-Maurice Weder, Berliner Camerata
OEHMS OC 1831
This recording uses a string quintet arrangement rather than full orchestra to enable us to hear a different balance and so reconsider the impact of the orchestration as it affects the way we listen to the piano solo. Where many may consider Chopin’s orchestrations to be limited it is clear from this cd that his harmonic choices and lyrical development are quite secure and not outstripped by the relative enthusiasm of the solo writing.
Saint-Saens: Cello Concertos 1 & 2; Carnival of the Animals
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Neeme Jarvi
CHANDOS CHSA 5162
This is a fine collection of works giving us over 75 minutes of music. The Carnival of the animals and the cello concertos may be familiar but the addition of the tone poem Africa and the Caprice Waltz Wedding Cake make it doubly welcome.
Respighi: Antiche Danze ed Arie; Gli Uccelli
Munchner Rundfunkorchester, Henry Raudales
CPO 777 233-2
Gli Uccelli may be very familiar – and is well played here – but the Antiche Danze ed Arie are less so and all the more welcome in a gently understate performance from Munich Radio.