The church of St Nikolai boasts a new (2003), Dutch-built organ, a generously-appointed three-manual instrument, designed on French Romantic lines and ideal for this late-19th- and early-to-middle-20th-century mélange. Christopher Herrick’s acclaimed series is designed as a demonstration of ‘the organ’s gentler but still rich and exciting aspects’.

Almost half of the disc is devoted to French repertory. Widor’s quirky reworking of Bach’s Wachet auf! provides a bold beginning, followed by a beautifully-shaped rendition of Franck’s Prélude, fugue et variation. Every- thing is clearly balanced and nicely poised. The same applies to Duruflé’s Sicilienne, its celestial amblings floating freely in the generous acoustic. Franck as arranger is responsible for Alkan’s ‘Priere’. Guilmant’s substantial Choral (a late piece from 1908) grows steadily to a powerful conclusion, capable of rousing even the most somnolent listener.

The Gallic tendency is tempered by a distinctive choice of music by three English cathedral organists with SS Wesley’s audacious Andante in E flat major being a particular highlight. Harvey Grace’s Reverie is predictably sweet and wayfaring and Sumsion’s Air, Berceuse and Procession is an unexpectedly delightful and stirring pleasure. The disc concludes with the 18-minute Variations by Liszt, a tightly-organised, anguished response to the death of his daughter Blandine.

Whether your dreams are of the nocturnal or day variety there is plenty to enjoy on this fastidiously engineered disc; Herrick’s playing is strong on communication and conviction. Most refreshing.