Historic Organs of the Barossa Valley, Vol. 1
Christopher Dearnley and John Stiller give striking performances on six historic church organs of South Australia’s Barossa Valley. A 16-page booklet traces the instruments, their builders and the music.
Johann Christoph Bach composer
Dieterich Buxtehude composer
George Frideric Handel composer
Henri Mulet composer
Johann Pachelbel composer
Max Reger composer
Charles John Stanley composer
Friedrich Kühmstedt composer
Michael Gotthard Fischer composer
Moneta Eagles composer
Paul Manz composer
Georgi Mushel composer
Henry Purcell composer
John Stiller composer
Christopher Dearnley arranger
A tour of the Barossa Valley usually means vineyards and cellars. Move offers another kind of tour. Together with Historic Organs of the Barossa Valley, Vol. 2 (available separately), this disc documents the region’s historic Lutheran organs.
Christopher Dearnley, one of the world’s leading organists (St Paul’s Cathedral, London 1968–1990), and John Stiller present popular and rare repertoire on these instruments. Volume 1 includes music by Bach, Handel, Buxtehude, Pachelbel and Purcell.
The accompanying booklets outline the history of the organs, their builders and the music.
Reviews
… recording quality is what we have come to expect from Move – outstanding … what a splendid addition to any CD collection!
I have played and replayed this disc – and it still keeps growing on me.
an admirable aural documentation of the musical treasures to be found in the Barossa region.
beautifully played … a great introduction to these organs
Artists
John Stiller
John Stiller (born 1945) is an Australian organist and church musician who documented historic organs across Australia and New Zealand and has long been director of music at St Petri Lutheran Church, Nuriootpa.
Christopher Dearnley
The late Christopher Dearnley established a worldwide reputation as an outstanding organist and leading church musician through many recordings and solo performances across a distinguished career.
Audio preview
Tracks
- Prelude in A major Johann Sebastian Bach 1:49
- Ricercar in C minor Johann Pachelbel 5:03
- Toccata in E minor Johann Pachelbel 1:42
- Improvisation in E minor John Stiller 1:56
- Prelude & Fugue in E minor Dieterich Buxtehude 6:48
- Bourrée in B flat George Frideric Handel 3:26
- Möcht ich din begern (Anonymous) 1:28
- Carillon-Sortie Henri Mulet 5:20
- Improvisation in G minor John Stiller :50
- Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier Johann Sebastian Bach 1:24
- Herzlich tut mich verlangen Friedrich Kühmstedt 1:27
- Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend Johann Christoph Bach 1:01
- Nun ruhen alle Wälder, BWV 756 Johann Sebastian Bach 1:18
- Jesu meine Freude Michael Gotthard Fischer 1:03
- Improvisation in G minor John Stiller 2:47
- Voluntary in E minor Charles John Stanley 3:17
- Eclogue Moneta Eagles 4:02
- Toccata in D minor, op. 59, no. 5 Max Reger 4:24
- Chorale improvisation on "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Paul Manz 2:27
- Chorale improvisation on "Still Still Still" Paul Manz 2:55
- Chorale improvisation on "Praise to the Lord (Lobe den Herren)" Paul Manz 2:01
- Improvisation on "Jesu Meine Freude" John Stiller 1:36
- Improvisation after Boëllmann John Stiller 1:23
- Slow Air (from the Married Beau) and Rondeau (from Abdelazar) Henry Purcell Arr: Christopher Dearnley 4:05
- Toccata Georgi Mushel 4:14
Performers
- Christopher Dearnley · all except tracks 1–4, 9–16, 19–23
- John Stiller · tracks 1–4, 9–16, 19–23
Composers
Johann Christoph Bach
Johann Christoph Bach (1642–1703) was a German composer and organist of the Baroque period. He served at Eisenach as organist of St George's Church and at the ducal court, and left a body of sacred vocal works and organ music.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) was a German composer and organist of the late Baroque. His sacred and secular music for choir, orchestra, organ and solo instruments remains among the foundations of the Western concert and church repertory.
Dieterich Buxtehude
Dieterich Buxtehude (c. 1637–1707) was a Danish-born organist and composer of the middle Baroque, long based at Lübeck. His organ works remain central to the standard repertoire.
George Frideric Handel
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a German-born Baroque composer who settled in London and became a naturalised British subject. He is celebrated for his operas, English oratorios, organ concertos and orchestral works.
Johann Pachelbel
Johann Pachelbel (1653–1706) was a German Baroque composer, organist and teacher who brought the south German organ tradition to its peak. His chorale preludes, fugues and keyboard variations place him among the central figures of the middle Baroque.
Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell (c. 1659–1695) was an English organist and composer of the middle Baroque. His sacred music, theatre songs, instrumental works and the opera Dido and Aeneas shaped a distinctly English Baroque style.
Max Reger
Max Reger's organ music packs Bach's counterpoint into dense late-Romantic harmony: chorale preludes, toccatas and the Benedictus that still stills a nave. His chamber miniatures carry the same concentrated craft into violin and piano.
Moneta Eagles
Moneta Eagles is a composer of short works for the organ. Her music includes the reflective Eclogue and the brief A Fragment.
Paul Manz
Paul Manz wrote neo-Baroque chorale preludes, partitas and hymn improvisations for the organ, music shaped for congregational worship. His Advent motet E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come remains his best-known choral work.
Henri Mulet
Henri Mulet’s organ writing is best known through the brilliant Carillon-Sortie and the Esquisses byzantines, pieces that treat the instrument as architectural colour and ceremonial force rather than mere accompaniment.
Charles John Stanley
Charles John Stanley (1712–1786) was an English composer and organist. Almost blind from early childhood, he became one of the leading London organists of his day and left a lasting body of organ voluntaries.
Where to listen
Historic Organs of the Barossa Valley, Vol. 1 is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Historic Organs of the Barossa Valley, Vol. 1 is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3156
- List price
- $25.00 AUD
- Total playing time
- 67 minutes 46 seconds
- Producer
- Martin Wright
- Recording Engineer
- Martin Wright
Vaughan McAlley - Editing Engineer
- Vaughan McAlley
- Release date
- 1995
- Musical work
copyright - © 1995 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1995 Move Records
- Categories
- Baroque, Classical, Organ
- Genres
- Organ, Baroque
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574315622
Related recordings
Historic Organs of the Barossa Valley, Vol. 2
Christopher Dearnley and John Stiller play seven historic Lutheran church organs of South Australia’s Barossa Valley in the second volume of this survey.