Move Records Australian classical & art music, est. 1968

The Rieger at Scots'

So just what does one play to demonstrate the resources of a large, beautifully voiced new organ? Douglas Lawrence sets out the wide tonal palette of the Rieger at The Scots' Church, Melbourne, completed in 1999.

Douglas Lawrence organ
Johann Sebastian Bach composer
Dieterich Buxtehude composer
François Couperin composer
Felix Mendelssohn composer
Henri Mulet composer
Johann Pachelbel composer

On one disc it is not possible to give more than an aural glimpse of the endless possibilities in an organ as fine as this one. Nonetheless there are magical sounds here, and the listener hears classical registrations drawn from the great periods of composition.

This album is the premiere recording of the Rieger organ at The Scots' Church, Melbourne. New at the time of the sessions, the instrument has four manuals and 68 speaking stops. It was designed in association with Douglas Lawrence and the church's organ committee.

Reviews

glorious

— New Classics, UK

one of the few organs in Melbourne that suits its home building in acoustic and timbral richness ... a program of music that was calculated to unveil even more qualities of colour and sonorous brilliance in this richly resourced organ ... fluent and engaging playing

— Clive O'Connell, The Age

Many of the works will be familiar, but they have an added dimension performed on such attractive tonal resources ... The sleeve notes are most comprehensive, as we have come to expect from MOVE ... a worthy aural tribute to one of our finest new instruments ... an excellent achievement!

— John Maidment, OHTA Journal

The playing is assured ... This is a splendid disc ... a rewarding listening experience

— Bill Hoffmann, Canberra Times

Another winning local disc

— Tony Way, The Age - Green Guide

the program is captivating ... the playing is vintage Lawrence and the recorded sound sumptuous.

— Bruce Steele, Organo Pleno

a 'real gem' ... all enjoyable ... a fine CD of a fine organ ... worthy to be in all organ music lovers' collections.

— David Vann, The Organ Voice

Lawrence's playing is excellent throughout ... the balance and ambience are excellent ... altogether a highly successful first aural outing for the Rieger, and a credit in every way to all concerned.

— Peter Jewkes, The Sydney Organ Journal

Artist

Photograph of Douglas Lawrence

Douglas Lawrence

Melbourne organist Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music at The Scots' Church and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne. He founded the Choir of Ormond College and directed it from 1982 to 2006.

Audio preview

Tracks

  1. Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in C, BuxWV 137 Dieterich Buxtehude 5:10

    2. Three Choral Preludes Dieterich Buxtehude

  2. i. Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BuxWV 211 1:48
  3. ii. Jesus Christus unser Heiland, BuxWV 198 2:01
  4. iii. Puer natus in Bethlehem, BuxWV 217 1:06
  5. Ciacona in E minor Dieterich Buxtehude 5:31

    6. Chorale Partita Johann Pachelbel

  6. i. :42
  7. ii. :50
  8. iii. :46
  9. iv. :48
  10. v. :50
  11. vi. :54
  12. vii. :52
  13. viii. :50
  14. ix. :32
  15. x. :52

    16. Trio Sonata No. 1 in E-flat major, BWV 525 Johann Sebastian Bach

  16. i. 2:49
  17. ii. 5:43
  18. iii. 3:15
  19. O Mensch bewein dein Sünde gross, BWV 622 Johann Sebastian Bach 4:40

    20. Messe pour les Convents François Couperin

  20. Plein Jeu :59
  21. Fugue sur la trompette 1:33
  22. Récit de Chromhorne 1:54
  23. Plein Jeu 1:27
  24. Duo sur les Tierces 1:31
  25. Basse de Trompette 2:06
  26. Dialogue sur la Voix humaine 1:54
  27. Dialogue sur les grands jeux 1:33
  28. Tierce en Taille 2:31
  29. Plein Jeu :45
  30. Dialogue sur les grands jeux 1:29

    31. Sonata No. 6 Felix Mendelssohn

  31. i. 8:17
  32. ii. 3:10
  33. iii. 2:51
  34. Carillon Sortie Henri Mulet 4:44

Performers

Composers

Photograph of Johann Sebastian Bach

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.

Photograph of Dieterich Buxtehude

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.

Photograph of François Couperin

François Couperin

François Couperin (1668–1733) was a French Baroque composer, organist and harpsichordist, known as Couperin le Grand. Organist to Louis XIV and to Saint-Gervais in Paris, he remains the supreme French master of the harpsichord.

Photograph of Felix Mendelssohn

Felix Mendelssohn

Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847) was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. His works include symphonies, concertos, oratorios, piano music and chamber music.

Photograph of Johann Pachelbel

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.

No photograph: Henri Mulet

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.

Where to listen

The Rieger at Scots' is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

The Rieger at Scots' 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 3244
List price
$25.00 AUD
Total playing time
76 minutes 43 seconds
Recording Engineer
Martin Wright
Editing Engineer
Vaughan McAlley
Venue
The Scots' Church, Melbourne
Release date
Musical work
copyright
© 2001 Move Records
Sound recording
copyright
℗ 2001 Move Records
Categories
Baroque, Classical, Organ
Genres
Organ, Baroque
Barcode
EAN 9314574324426

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