Rütti: Tongues of Fire (Feuerzungen)

This CD brings together Poulenc’s ever-popular Organ Concerto, Anton Arensky’s luscious Variations on a theme of Tschaikovsky (written in memory of the composer just after his death) and a new organ concerto by Carl Rütti. Rütti’s concerto offers ample proof why he is one of Switzerland’s most popular classical composers today, with its rhythmic drive, melodic invention and skilful orchestration. His ‘Blackbird Scherzino’ movement showcases Rütti’s love of birdsong, here brilliantly depicted by the organ together with two solo violins, temple blocks and cymbals. Martin Heini brings the organ part of the Rütti and Poulenc concertos vividly to life, and is accompanied subtly by the virtuosic State Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra of Novosibirsk under Rainer Held.

Carl Rütti is arguably the most significant Swiss composer of organ music, and this year he celebrates his 60th birthday. It is therefore with considerable pride that Guild presents this very timely release of his complete organ music – played by the composer himself. These brand-new recordings are literally state-of-the-art with regard to organ recordings, and the performances of this important, dramatic and beautiful music by Carl Rütti himself are simply the most authentic that any lover of contemporary music could wish.