ORGAN DREAMS Vol. 2.
Christopher Herrick at the
Organ of Ripon Cathedral.
Hyperion CDA67146 73m
DDD.
Crotchet
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Adagio in E major No.2 of Three Pieces H63 (Bridge). Reve from
Organ Sonata No.7 in F major op.89 (Guilmant). Vesper Voluntaries op.14
Introduction and Andante / Allegro / Andantino / Allegretto placevole / Poco
lento / Moderato / Allegretto pensoso / Poco allegro and Coda (Elgar). Siciliano
for a High Ceremony (Howells). Study in A flat major op.56 No.4 (Schumann).
Adagio for Strings (Barber). Evocation a la Chapelle Sixtine S658 (Liszt).
Four Pieces from Twelve Short Pieces and a Voluntary: No.5 in A minor / No.8
in F major / No.9 in F major / No.11 in D major (Wesley). In Paradisum
(Dubois).
Herrick's Organ Dreams (Vol. 2) are, as usual, varied and stimulating. They
continue to mesmerize with the this volume full of surprises for the organ
connoisseur. Dubois's miraculous 'In Paradisum' sets proceedings going whilst
Bridge's short Adagio explores the innermost regions of the Ripon organ's
reed section. The longest work on disc is Edward Elgar's 'Vesper Voluntaries',
a collection of pieces that made a boorish evening very much lighter for
this listener. Howells' 'Siciliano for a High Ceremony' also contains some
of those beautiful melodies which have lain forgotten for years whilst the
gargantuan shifts of Liszt's 'Evocation' reveal this master's uncanny collection
of arrangements with many well-known tunes skilfully interwoven into the
massive organ canvas. Barber's Adagio takes on an uncanny spirituality in
this organ arrangement and I was also deeply moved by Wesley's Four Pieces
- simple but touching melodies in the best English spirit. Herrick plays
all pieces with an uncanny air of authority. The striking cover is also an
added bonus as is the splendidly expansive sound, perfectly matched to the
splendid Ripon instrument. Organ buffs will need no further prompting from
me!
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
Performance:
Sound:
