MP3 Jonathan Dimmock - The Romance of the Organ
This is a warm, soulful recording that showcases the lushness of German 19th century music for the pipe organ. From fiery introductions and conclusions to Brahms'' contemplative reflections - the last pieces he ever wrote!
18 MP3 Songs in this album (66:06) !
Related styles: Classical: Organ, Classical: Brahms, Solo Instrumental
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Details:
This is the first, and only, professional recording of the spectacular Danish (Frobenius) organ at St. Stephen''s Church in Belvedere, California. From the Baroque era to the Romantic era, the role of the organ changed dramatically. The Age of Enlightenment caused a shift in focus away from the Church and toward the concert hall and the salon. Yet on this recording, we can hear the continuation of the classical idiom, perfected in the music of Bach, and handed down to the mind and heart of Brahms. The music of this recording reflects the classical idiom (as opposed to the symphonic idiom) that held great importance in 19th century Germany.
This was the second solo recording which Grammy-award winner, Jonathan Dimmock, made. He now has more than 30 CDs released (solo and ensemble). His website: https://www.tradebit.com, gives his performing and biographical information.
The main part of the disc is the complete set of 11 chorale preludes of Brahms. Published posthumously and edited initially by Mandyczewski and later by G. Henle, this is Brahms'' final musical statement. Although Brahms was never a religious man in the strict sense of the word, he was certainly a Christian and maintained a child-like penchant for pietism throughout his life. With the death of his close friend, Clara, and his own recent diagnosis of cancer of the liver, the concept of mortality and the truths of the Christian faith must have occupied much of his thinking. It is no wonder that his final eleven chorale preludes are so inspirational and serenely profound.
There are also three Tonestykker of Niels Gade on this disc. Gade was a Danish composer who was close friends with Mendelssohn (and followed Mendelssohn as the conductor of the Leipzig Gewandhaus for a few years). The style of organ on this recording is exactly what Gade would have known and worked with. The musical language of these pieces clearly demonstrates the musical tastes of 19th century Leipzig, most especially the names of Mendelssohn and Schumann -- yet at the same time, it retains a certain Scandinavian coloring.
The disc closes with the Merkel Sonata in D minor for four hands (and four feet). Jonathan is assisted by his sister (and first music teacher), Jane Dimmock Cain. Merkel lived in Dresden and concieves music as architecture rather than melody and harmony. The sonata is based on texts from the Psalms. The first movement is based on Psalm 42: 6-8, 10 ("Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? Put your trust in God..."). The second movement is based on Psalm 23:1-4 ("The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..."). The third movemt is based on Psalm 42:12 ("While my bones are being broken, my enemies mock me to my face."). After a 20-bar introduction, Merkel begins a long fugal section, building up to as many as seven voices. This reaches a grand climax before returning to the quasi Recitativo that closed the first movement. However, this time we are brought to the end of the work with a grand D major chord.