Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The programme of this recital is intended to show us the range and versatility of the new Garnier organ in the Elgar Concert Hall at Birmingham University in this, its debut recording. In doing so it also shows us the skill of the organist, Henry Fairs, who is the organ's curator and an international concert organist. The music he has chosen takes us from the 17th to 21st centuries and allows us to appreciate the full tonal resources of this wonderful instrument, which is a major contribution to Birmingham's centre of excellence in organ performing and teaching. There is plenty to interest the organ buff in the illustrated CD booklet and of particular note is the fact that the organ is effectively two separate instruments as the player turns round to play the 'Chair' organ. This is exploited in Franz Danksagmüller's new work 'Versus' (Latin for turned), commissioned for the opening recital in November 2014, and forming the centre-piece of this symmetrical programme which begins and ends with major works in C major by J S Bach played on the larger instrument. These are the Toccata, Adagio and Fugue (BWV 564) to open and the Praeludium (BWV 566a) to close and although one could make a case for reversing the order this is perhaps the point. Regardless it is a wise move to include some well-known and well-loved classics as they enable us to make an informed judgment on both the instrument and the organist. Danksagmüller's "Versus" and Jon Laudvik's "Via Crucis" are both new to me and I would not know whether Fairs does them justice or not. That weasel word "interesting" comes into play here and I am sure that those with an interest in contemporary organ music will get more from them than this reviewer. However, for the traditionalists in addition to the 25 minutes of Bach we hear Nicolaus Bruhns' "Chorale Fantasia" on "Nom Komm, der Heiden Heiland", and "Four Sketches For Pedal Piano" by Robert Schumann. If you will forgive the cliché, something for everyone and all recorded to the usual high standard that we take for granted from producer/engineer Gary Cole.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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