The range of works
on this CD makes for a varied, rich
and consistently engaging programme.
The Sonata Eroica by Jongen is
famous and there are the large-scale
pieces of late-romantic repertoire by
the German composer Wilhelm Middelschulte
and the Englishman Percy Whitlock. In
addition the listener has the chance
to enjoy less familiar, shorter pieces
from the English and French repertoire.
These composers are very well known
but such is the quality of this recording
that one can imagine listeners captivated
by one of these works wanting to search
out others by the same composer.
The Goll organ sounds
superb and supports perfectly the whole
programme. It is an organ with French
as well as German and English sounds.
It offers beautiful and warm flutes
as well as powerful reeds. The strings
also are such a pleasure to hear <sample
1: track 2 2’23’’> The effect is
complemented by the acoustics of the
church, which at 236 feet length and
66 feet height produces ample reverberation.
Parker-Smith proves
yet again that she is at home with this
repertoire. All the works are performed
with confidence, dexterity and an extremely
high sense of musicality <sample
2: track 3 3’09’’> thus allowing
everything to be heard clearly. This
CD is one of those in which a great
organ, a great performer and a very
well balanced program meet to brings
to the listener the very best musical
quality <sample 3: track 4 8’36’’>.
Christina Antoniadou
Jane Parker-Smith (Organ)