With a specification that runs to 146 stops and an amazing 36 couplers, the 1930 Steinmeyer organ in Trondheim is one of the largest cathedral organs in Europe. It was substantially rebuilt a year ago, a few months after the appointment of Magne Draagen as Director of Music. He demonstrates the instrument in a programme highlighting various unique features, to which he draws attention in his own booklet-notes.

The recording does him proud, capturing the almost inaudible Echo division in Ludwig Nielsen’s otherwise unremarkable Organ Fantasy based on the Nidaros Cathedral chimes, vividly detailing the broad dynamic sweep of Reger’s ‘Benedictus’ and capturing the climax of Dupré’s ‘Placare Christe servulis’ with ground-shaking intensity. Draagen can be excused for bringing certain stops and features out to play more for reasons of aural display than musical integrity; Widor’s ‘Marche nuptiale’ gets a burst of the harp-like Celesta for no good reason; pedal chimes and a host of mutations go even beyond Karg-Elert’s registration directions in the astonishing Homage to Handel; a strangely distant Tuba makes its presence felt in the Handel Hornpipe; and, perversely, the English Solo division with Willis pipework is highlighted in Gigout’s Grand choeur dialogué.

With so much aural colour to play with, Draagen’s own improvisation shows remarkable restraint in its Grieg-like 3'40", while in Eben’s ‘Moto ostinato’, the lovely Adagio by Arild Sandvold and, particularly, a discreet account of ‘Master Tallis’s Testament’ we hear this fine organ and intelligent player at their very best.