Search - Johannes Brahms, Rudolf Innig :: Brahms: Complete Organ Works

BRAHMSIAN ROADS LESS TRAVELED

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 07/31/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although never far afield of Bach, this complete collection of Brahms' works for organ still offers curious insight, with many of the pieces, especially the sorrowful Choral Prelude and Fugue on "O Traurigkeit, o Herzeleid" [c. 1858] and the intensively introspective Fugue in A flat minor [1864], reflecting the composer's penchant for autumnal ambience, pianistic lyricism and orchestral breadth. Admittedly, as even Brahms himself felt, these works are not representative. With this in mind, it's interesting to note that he allowed only the two compositions above to be published during his lifetime. Supplemental to this is the fact that the Preludes and Fugues in A minor [1856] and G minor [1857] and the diverse Chorale Preludes, Op. 122 [1896] were published posthumously, the former in 1927, the latter in 1902. But be this as it may, organist Rudolf Innig makes a good case for Brahms' few "organic" efforts. His playing on the Klais-Organ of St. Dionysius in Rheine is idiomatically warm, nostalgic and caressing. The sound, as well, fills the room with a burnished, heartfelt glow.[Running time: 51:12]"