Organ Dreams, Volume 2
Another fine collection of varied organ works from this team, sympathetically played and well suited to the Ripon organ
View record and artist detailsRecord 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
Magazine Review Date: 9/2000
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 |
Author: Malcolm Riley
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
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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