Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The audience at most organ recitals can usually be split into two: those who come to hear the instrument and those that listen to the music. Your reviewer falls into the latter group: I enjoy the music but pay little attention to how it is made. No doubt any organ spotters who read my reviews soon turn to the more specialist publications that exist to supply the technical details while I write at a general level. And before I go any further I must say that I enjoyed listening to the music on this disc. The Frobenius Organ at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, has a lovely warm tone and Matthew Owens, organist and Master of the Choristers of Wells Cathedral seems to be in total command throughout. Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was a south German composer and organist who wrote both sacred and secular music. 11 of the 17 tracks on this release are chorale-based works, based on a wide range of tests from throughout the liturgical year. We have, for example, one based on Luther's setting of the Lord's Prayer and two versions of "An Wasserflussen Babylon" ("By The Waters Of Babylon"). Pachelbel's melodies have been borrowed by modern composers and attentive listeners may hear some surprises on this disc. Over all this is a pleasant listen and collectors of organ music will want to investigate further.

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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