Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Sigfrid Karg-Elert wrote extensively for organ and harmonium in a late-Romantic vein touched by impressionism and expressionism. His chorale preludes and atmospheric pieces such as Harmonies du Soir still turn up on recital programmes.
A German composer with a deep grasp of harmony, he stretched traditional tonality without losing coherence, drawing on Bach (often via the BACH motif), Debussy, Reger, Scriabin and early Schoenberg. The Kunstharmonium and the pipe organ were his preferred instruments; he also wrote for flute, piano, small ensembles and voice. Much of his organ output grew from harmonium originals, including the large set of Chorale Improvisations, Op. 65. Short chorale preludes such as Aus meines Herzens Grunde and Liebster Jesu sit naturally on heritage instruments, while the Trois Impressions show a more colouristic, evening mood. Outside Germany his organ music found early champions; after a mid-century lull it returned to regular recital use.
Compositions by Sigfrid Karg-Elert appear on
North of the Yarra: Organs of Melbourne
Gordon Atkinson plays seven of Melbourne's finest organs, from the oldest surviving city instrument to the giant Town Hall organ, including St Patrick's Cathedral, The Scots' Church, St Paul's Cathedral and St Mary Star of the Sea, West Melbourne.
Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields
Fifteen historic organs from the Ballarat region are heard on this disc, released to mark the 2005 Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields festival. A fully illustrated 16-page booklet surveys the builders, churches, instruments, music and performers.
Centenary Plus
Sydney City Organist Robert Ampt plays the restored William Hill and Son Grand Organ at Sydney Town Hall in a programme spanning more than a century of music linked with the instrument, from Handel and Bach to Koehne, Dubois, Best and Ampt.