An engrossing Mendelssohn
recording this, featuring the first
sonata and the c minor Prelude and Fugue
together with two lesser known shorter
works. One is a transcription of part
of the op. 12 String Quartet, and a
transcription, surprisingly effective,
of the fifth symphony, the 'Reformation',
realised by the performer, Heinrich
Walther.
Walther is a former
student of Darasse and Szathmary, and
also of Larry Palmer and Robert Anderson
in Dallas. I enjoy the expressive nature
of his playing, though occasionally
his rhythmic freedom goes too far for
me. His approach to the 'Reformation'
transcription seems to be very much
one aimed at creating a piece of organ
literature, rather than using an organ
simply to mimic an orchestra. I find
the present approach always more successful
I have to say; the match between music
and instrument here seems especially
apt.
The organ is worthy
of special mention. It dates from 1821,
ten years before the composition of
the fifth symphony, and was built by
the Berlin organ builder Buchholz as
a two manual instrument with no fewer
than 42 stops. Especially remarkable
are the brilliant choruses and the small
number of gutsy reeds, including a 32'
Contraposaune, while the variety of
8' tone proves invaluable in the transcriptions.
Originally housed in a classical case,
the organ is now housed in a neo-gothic
case from 1863, somewhat at odds with
the classical nature of the organ. A
third manual, containing mostly 8' stops
in a swell box was added by Karl Grüneberg
in 1896, and has been preserved. Restored
by Kristian Wegscheider in 2003, the
organ now provides a fabulous glimpse
into the world of German organ building
in the period prior to the advent of
Friedrich Ladegast. I am bowled over
by the sound, a better Mendelssohn organ
would be hard to imagine.
Organum again hit the
mark with an original, superbly played
release featuring an unusual transcription
and a wonderful, little-known organ.
Very highly recommended.
Chris Bragg
Heinrich Walther (organ) 
