Search - Rheinberger, Stevens :: Rheinberger: The Later Sonatas Volume III

An artistic success

Avid Reader | Franklin, Tn | 01/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It appears that Bruce Stevens and Wolfgang Rubsam are vying for the honor of completing all twenty of Joseph Rheinberger's Organ Sonatas. Rubsam is working strictly chronologically - first to last - whereas Stevens varies the pace, mixing younger and more mature works, providing greater artistic interest. I notice that Rubsam has just recorded his fifth of the series (numbers 12 & 13).



This recording of three of the latter sonatas would have been perfect if the famous 19th (G Minor) had been included. In order of greatness, I would rank it first, followed closely by the 11th (D Minor), the 20th (F Major) and the 16th (G Sharp Minor), the latter two on this album. As mentioned in the notes, the three pieces presented here present the composer at his peak. The melodies flow almost effortlessly, the structure becomes more and more compact yet each movement stands on its own. Rheinberger never "progressed" to the point of Widor in his Ninth and Tenth Organ Symphonies ("Gothique" and "Romance" respectively) in which the entire work seems woven of a single theme, a long stream of musical consciousness.



The 20th Sonata proceeds with dignity and awe and could be aptly called a summation of Rheinberger's lifetime ouevre. It proceeds with majesty, calmness and power. All extraneous matters are now resolved, every note is exactly where the composer desired, the registration is never in doubt. This work was his forlorn prayer for European peace, a prayer that was never answered. The 17th (B Flat Major) has a slightly looser structure but is still a powerful work, the pedals prominent as are the luscious melodies.



The organs heard here are period instruments, almost "French", in their tone (as opposed to the didactic "German"). Rheinberger never belonged to the great French Romantic school of Vierne and Widor but was a kindred spirit in his belieft on the symphonic aspects of the organ. This is a MUST album for all organ lovers."