Search - Stephen Cleobury :: Liszt, Reubke & Mendelssohn: Organ Works

This album brings together the first ever surround sound recordings of the great Harrison & Harrison organ set within the chapel of Kings College, Cambridge. Performing three popular virtuosic works for the organ, Stephen Cleobury, Director of Music at Kings College, demonstrates the power and flexibility of this great instrument. Originally built in the 19th century to replace an earlier instrument, the organ has been modernised several times and is due for a major renovation in 2016. This is the first time the organ has been recorded in surround sound, capturing the unique and famous acoustics of the chapel. Beginning with Liszts dark-hued Fantasie und Fuge über den choral Ad nos, ad salutarem undam, this piece is based on a theme from Act 1 of Meyerbeers grand opera Le Prophète. At almost 30 minutes, this is a work of three sections: the Fantasy, Adagio and Fugue. Julius Reubkes magnificently gothic Organ Sonata on the 94th Psalm explores the theme of judgement. Considered one of the pinnacles of Romantic repertoire, and thought to have been inspired by Liszts Fantasie und Fuge über den choral, this piece is a test of both the organs versatility and the players pedal technique. The album concludes with Mendelssohns Organ Sonata No. 6 in D minor. Based on Bachs chorale Vater unser im Himmelreich, this piece demonstrates Mendelssohns consummate mastery of organ textures.