Die Orgel im Altenberger Dom Main Performer or Conductor: Paul Wisskirchen Accompaniment/Orchestra: Klais organ of the Dom of Altenburg (Germany) Instrumentation: Organ Individual Works: Anonymus (Spain circa 1700) - Batalha de 6. Ton Sigfrid Karg-Elert - Homage to Handel, Op. 75b Johann Sebastian Bach - Concerto Es-Dur nach Anonymus, Trio (BWV 597) Enrico Bossi - Laendliche Szene, Op. 132/3 Stanley Weiner - Fantasie ueber Mozarts "Tuerkischen Marsch", Op. 142 Sigfrid Karg-Elert - Partita Retrospettiva, Op. 151 Format: Compact Disc Record Label: Motette Catalog Number: CD 11161 (full price) Year Released/Recorded: 1986 Total Playing Time: 57'31" Comments: Another intriguing recording of the 1980 Klais organ in the Dom of Altenberg (see also "Transkriptionen" by Nicolas Kynaston, MITRA CD 16176, containing BWV 1004), this time by "Domorganist" Paul Wisskirchen. The Allegro from Bach's Concerto (played tastefully with pleasantly contrasting registrations) and the Spanish Batalha (showing off some of the organ's horizontal and other trumpets) are the earliest (early 18th century) works on the program, adding up to just over eight and a half minu tes. The remainder concerns itself with 20th century works, with the lion share consisting of two large works by Karg-Elert, often said to be one of the few "impressionist" composers of organ music. His "54 Studies in Variation Form on a Ground Bass of Handel" is given a masterful performance. Paul Wisskirchen draws a wealth of colours from the organ's "tonal palette", which, together with the slightly different mood he injects in each variation, presents the work as a fascinating kaleidoscope of sound. The "Partita Retrospettiva", which combines baroque techniques with early 20th century "sound painting", is given a wholly convincing rendition, making it abundantly clear that Paul Wisskirchen is very much in tune with this kind of music. Enrico Bossi's "Laendliche Szene" is equally colourful and varied as Karg-Elert's music, and evocative of a "pastoral" scene. Stanley Weiner's tongue-in-cheek Fantasie (1985) is dedicated to Paul Wisskirchen himself, who also suggested its composition to the composer. It is similar to the Karg-Elert and Bossi works in that it provides ample opportunity for the display of a variety of moods and tonal colours. As with the aforementioned Kynaston production, this recording stands out because of the organ's excellence, the organist's virtuosity, and our relative unfamiliarity with the works performed. Granted, the connection with Bach is minimal. However, if you appreciate Bach and the organ, you'll likely enjoy this disc as well. (DDD) Acknowledgements: Thank you to the following for submitting this recording and for your comments: Willem Van Galen Date First Submitted: 02/14/1997 Purchasing: Suggested Purchasing Sources Note: Inclusion in this database does not guarantee the availability of any recording. Some recordings may be out-of-print or no longer available.

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