Versus - The Garnier Organ - Regent: REGCD516 - CD

Fairs programmes some unusual items to show off the versatility of the Garnier, which is actually two instruments: a three-manual recital organ and a smaller example to accompany choral work...Via... — The Observer, 6th August 2017, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 21st Jul 2017
Catalogue No: REGCD516
Label: Regent

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Bach, J S: Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C major, BWV564

Henry Fairs plays on ‘Chair’ (Mitteltönigeswerk) organ

Bruhns: Chorale Fantasia on 'Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland'

Henry Fairs plays on ‘Chair’ (Mitteltönigeswerk) organ

Schumann: Four Sketches, Op. 58

Henry Fairs plays on ‘Chair’ (Mitteltönigeswerk) organ

Danksagmüller: Five Verses on the Chorale Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott

Henry Fairs plays on ‘Chair’ (Mitteltönigeswerk) organ

Lauvig: Via Crucis

Henry Fairs plays on ‘Chair’ (Mitteltönigeswerk) organ

Bach, J S: Toccata in C major (Early version of BWV566)

Henry Fairs plays on ‘Chair’ (Mitteltönigeswerk) organ

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The first recording of the new Garnier organ in the Elgar Concert Hall at Birmingham University played by the organ's curator, and international concert organist, Henry Fairs. Featuring music by JS Bach, Bruhns, Schumann, Danksagmüller, and Lauvik, this wide-ranging programme of music from the 17th to 21st centuries exploits the full tonal resources of this wonderful instrument, which is a major contribution to Birmingham's centre of excellence in organ performing and teaching.

Effectively two separate instruments the player turns round to play the 'Chair' organ. This is exploited in Franz Danksagmüller's new work 'Versus' (Latin: 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 JS Bach played on the larger instrument.

Henry Fairs is Head of Organ Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, Organist to the University of Birmingham and Honorary Professor of Organ at the University of St Andrews. He has won ten prizes in international organ competitions, and appeared in festivals throughout Europe and in North America, Canada, Russia and Japan, performing solo recitals, broadcasts and concertos on both historic and modern instruments. He is regularly invited to serve as a jury member, examiner, guest tutor and speaker. His students include a number of prize-winners in international competitions. Henry was closely involved with the recent installation of the Garnier organ and will be responsible for commissioning a number of new instruments at Birmingham Conservatoire's new home over the coming years.

Reviews

6th August 2017

Fairs programmes some unusual items to show off the versatility of the Garnier, which is actually two instruments: a three-manual recital organ and a smaller example to accompany choral work...Via Crucis, by Jon Laukvik, is a deeply impressive eight-movement meditation, massive in scale and full of Messiaen-like colour and imagination.

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