Organ Dreams, Volume 2

Another fine collection of varied organ works from this team, sympathetically played and well suited to the Ripon organ

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Robert Schumann, Samuel Wesley, Edward Elgar, Théodore (François Clement) Dubois, Samuel Barber, Frank Bridge, Herbert Howells, (Felix) Alexandre Guilmant, Franz Liszt

Genre:

Instrumental

Label: Hyperion

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 73

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: CDA67146

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
In paradisum Théodore (François Clement) Dubois, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Théodore (François Clement) Dubois, Composer
(3) Pieces, Movement: Adagio, E Frank Bridge, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Frank Bridge, Composer
Sonata No. 7 (Felix) Alexandre Guilmant, Composer
(Felix) Alexandre Guilmant, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
(11) Vesper Voluntaries Edward Elgar, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Edward Elgar, Composer
Siciliano for a High Ceremony Herbert Howells, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Herbert Howells, Composer
(6) Studies, Movement: A flat Robert Schumann, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Robert Schumann, Composer
Adagio for Strings Samuel Barber, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Samuel Barber, Composer
Evocation à la Chapelle Sixtine (Allegri/Mozart) Franz Liszt, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Franz Liszt, Composer
(12) Short Pieces with a Voluntary added, Movement: A minor Samuel Wesley, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Samuel Wesley, Composer
(12) Short Pieces with a Voluntary added, Movement: Gavotte in F Samuel Wesley, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Samuel Wesley, Composer
(12) Short Pieces with a Voluntary added, Movement: Air in F Samuel Wesley, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Samuel Wesley, Composer
(12) Short Pieces with a Voluntary added, Movement: D Samuel Wesley, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ
Samuel Wesley, Composer
After eight highly acclaimed discs of ‘Organ Fireworks’ the winning combination of Christopher Herrick and Hyperion have turned their attention towards the calmer and more reflective repertory grouped under the title ‘Organ Dreams’.
Volume 2 consists mostly of original organ music spanning the period 1815-1952, all of which fits the instrument in Ripon Cathedral like a well-tailored glove.
Not every title reflects a dream-like state, though the disc’s opening track – Dubois’ In paradisum creates an aura of calm. Frank Bridge’s oft-played Adagio in E is also smoothly shaped, with its grand climax carefully controlled. Guilmant’s ‘Reve’ of 1902 is delicious, its impressionistic perfume wafting effortlessly.
With a running time of 19 minutes, Elgar’s rarely heard Vesper Voluntaries of 1889 form the centrepiece of Herrick’s programme. What charmers they are: mostly mezzo-piano in dynamic, with occasional fuller-bodied outbursts, none of them outstays its welcome. They are followed by Howells’ rambling Siciliano (the most recent piece on the disc), which Herrick keeps moving. However, he does allow himself plenty of time for William Strickland’s convincing arrangement of Barber’s Adagio.
The Liszt is a shameless piece of kitsch which borrows freely from Allegri’s Miserere and Mozart’s Ave verum corpus. More worthwhile are Schumann’s Study and a quartet of miniatures by Samuel Wesley. The only fault I could find with the whole package was that the portrait purporting to be that of Wesley senior is, in fact, that of his natural son, Samuel Sebastian.
This disc is sensitively and affectionately played and it works well at a single hearing. Thoroughly enjoyable and strongly recommended.'

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