THE GRAND ORGAN OF THE TEMPLE CHURCH

This recording provides compelling evidence that large organs by Harrison & Harrison really do project the romantic repertoire very well. The programme of Mendelssohn’s first Sonata, Karg- Elert’s kaleidoscopic Symphonic Chorale ‘Jesu, meine Freude’, Reger’s Hallelujah! Gott zu loben (written for Karl Straube) and Reubke’s Sonata on the 94th Psalm all demonstrate a wide range of colourful tonal resources and dynamic contrasts, expertly controlled by Roger Sayer. Details of the organ are not given, and the notes on the music are brief, but the performances are authoritative, with appropriately flexible tempi and an empathy with 19th-century style, well projected.

DAVID PONSFORD Read the full review on Agora Classica