Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

A random thought occurred to me while listening to this most enjoyable recording. Over the years, how many people have heard the organ at King's College Cambridge? Those who have a degree in maths can multiply all the radio listeners and television watchers of the annual Carols From King's broadcasts and then add them to all who have bought the many recordings over the years and then estimate the regular and occasional worshippers in the chapel and I am certain sure the total will be a large one. And yet the majority are listening to the choir with the organ just there as an accompaniment. Well, we now get a chance to hear the instrument in all its glory in the first surround sound recording of the Harrison & Harrison organ since a major refurbishment in 2016. Details - illustrated with colour photographs - of what this refurbishment entailed are available in the informative CD booklet with much more on Stephen Cleobury's website and I am sure collectors of organ music will want to investigate at the earliest opportunity. Regular readers of this website will recognize Stephen Cleobury as one of the leading choir directors and conductors of his generation but he is also an expert organist so it is only right and proper that he is at the controls for this recording. By the way, the audio quality is top notch. I do not have the hardware to listen in surround sound but on my CD player it is crystal clear. The programme has been chosen to show us just what the instrument can do. We open with "Alleluyas" by the concert organist Simon Preston (born 1938) which grabs our attention from the first note and reminds us somewhat of Olivier Messiaen, possibly the leading composer of the 20th century for the organ. Then we step back in time for "Preludes From Das Clavierubung III" by the greatest composer of all, Johann Sebastian Bach who we meet later in the programme with three "Preludes From Das Orgelbuchlein". Certainly more familiar than some of the other items in the programme but none the less welcome and also useful for comparison. I take it as given that Bach is a great composer so any organist that tackles his work has some big shoes to fill and any weaknesses in technique or indeed in the instrument will be exposed. Stephen Cleobury passes the test, if I can presume to put it that way, and the instrument sounds superb. Along with the Bach items the other older composition comes from Felix Mendelssohn with his "Organ Sonata, Opus 65, Number One in F Minor", a title that sounds much duller than the music because Mendelssohn always gives us a good tune. Of the less familiar pieces we hear Harvey Grace's "Resurgam", Cesar Franck's aptly named "Piece Heroique" and a world premiere recording of George Baker's "Procession Royale". All in all, a most interesting and well-chosen selection of music, all appropriate for the instrument and all played with aplomb by the organist. This is an indispensable release for lovers of organ music but while it may well be enjoyed by more general listeners it is too specialized to give a totally unreserved recommendation.

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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