This generous disc of keyboard works falls squarely on the shoulders of the kaleidoscopic organ of the Pieterskerk in Leiden, Holland, rather than dividing the spoils between virginals, harpsichords and organs (Sweelinck provided no indications towards specific instrumental usage). Those who have encountered the supreme artistry of this composer at his best will relish the clarity of voicing and judicious registrations – not to mention impressive dexterity – of Woolley in the substantial Fantasia (D7) and in the most evocative of all early continental variation sets, Mein junges Leben hat ein End. Here, the organist gives reign to common sense more than lyrical poignancy. It is still a telling reading of a work (which is considerably harder than it looks), if somewhat guarded and geometric in its conception.

Much of the music here is not currently available except in Ton Koopman’s four-CD set on Philips, which is an uneven collection and one not enhanced by creaky instrument action. While Woolley doesn’t show Koopman’s flamboyance or daring in the extended Echo Fantasia (not the same as the two similar works recorded by Gustav Leonhardt and Piet Kee), he takes flight in Psalm 140 and brings a splendid sonority to the robust homophony of Allein Gott, followed by a ruminating Fantasia met bindingen. The highlight is perhaps the arresting final Fantasia with its indefatigable thematic flourishes, brilliantly played. A fitting end to a thoughtfully conceived programme in which pleasurable performances outnumber prosaic ones, by a fairly considerable margin.