This is a great recording – I’ve no hesitation in saying it’s one of the best organ CDs you’ll ever hear. Robert Quinney has devised an ingenious programme of transcriptions and original organ works which are well suited to Westminster Cathedral’s charismatic four-manual 78-stop Willis organ. This majestic instrument has a vast wealth of orchestral colours which are fully exploited by Quinney in his splendid performances of Brahms and Wagner. He produces rapid, smooth and seamless changes of tone and dynamics – a phenomenal achievement – and despite the complexity of the scores everything is heard with the utmost clarity.

Quinney’s performances of Dupré are equally fine and two aspects of his interpretations are worth noting. First, he’ll use different stops to what Dupré prescribes for greater impact; and, second, he’ll occasionally play faster and very often play slower than the printed metronome markings. All this results in some of the best Dupré playing on disc.

Alongside his impeccable performances, Quinney’s greatest achievement is to produce music-making which really communicates itself to the listener. The quieter moments of Brahms and Wagner are magical while Quinney’s account of the Die Meistersinger prelude is as joyful and as thrilling as any orchestral version. In contrast the anguish and passion of Dupré’s Evocation brought tears to my eyes; the playful fairground-like Noël Variations had me smiling broadly; and the dazzling virtuosity of the Preludes and Fugues left me breathless with excitement. Let me say again: this is a truly great recording.