Wagner: Begluckt darf nun dich 'Pilgrims' Chorus' (from Tannhauser) (Pilgerchor)

Released for the Wagner bicentenary in May 2013, the first disc by a British organist entirely devoted to Wagner, and a major contribution to the small discography of Wagner transcriptions for a solo instrument.

Wagner’s major orchestral works, including the Overture to Mastersingers and Ride of the Valkyries, in virtuoso transcriptions for solo organ by Edwin Lemare.

Played by Jonathan Vaughn on the 1911 Harrison and Harrison organ of St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol – regarded as one of the finest high Romantic organs ever built.

Jonathan Vaughn is a former organ scholar of St John’s College, Cambridge, and is most often heard accompanying the world-class choir of Wells Cathedral in his capacity as assistant organist of the Cathedral.

This debut solo recording from Jonathan Vaughn demonstrates his supreme virtuosity in powerfully dramatic repertoire, as well as the immense range of tone colour of the Redcliffe organ, and will capture the imagination of all lovers of Wagner’s music.

The best-loved and most popular works by Richard Wagner, performed by the world’s leading artists, in an accessible format at budget price.

With Richard Wagner's bicentenary coming up on May 22, there are all kinds of sounds in the air and words to be read about the great Romantic music dramatist. But where among all this Wagneriana are we to find the truly original messages? Some of them are to be encountered right here, because when GERMAN BRASS tackles Wagner, expectations are always high. The brass ensemble is justly regarded as one of the world's finest, consisting of the best musicians from Germany's leading orchestras (including Bayreuth's!), so this is a special event, music made, played and recorded with total commitment.We still come back to the question: Wagner for brass – how is that going to sound? It seems a bold idea at first sight, but as soon as you hear it, it turns out to be a stroke of genius: Wagner was no stranger to fullbodied brass sound, and the musicians of GERMAN BRASS succeed brilliantly in coaxing the complex timbres of Wagner's mixed sounds from their instruments. This is due as much to their virtuosity as to the creative arrangements of their artistic director Matthias Höfs. The verve of the "Ride of the Valkyries" will astound the listener as much as the alternating blocks of sound at the start of the "Pilgrims' Chorus" from Tannhäuser, where original and arrangement seem to keep changing places. Familiar passages come over as well known and yet subtly different – a stimulating experience!

The widely awaited first CD transfer of these recordings (of which the Bruckner 7th was the work's recording premiere). Previous volumes were acclaimed in Gramophone, ARG, Fanfare, Musica, Diapason, etc. and Volume I won the coveted German Record Critics Association's quarterly prize for best historical recording.

An album of music for a special day. Use this lovely collection of organ music for church weddings to make your own personal choices for your own celebration - and listen to it afterwards as an atmospheric reminder of a unique moment in your life. From Bach to Wagner, there's something to suit everybody. Inside the booklet there's plenty of advice on how to choose music to suit your mood and style and to make sure that another important element of your special day can be just that bit more personal.

Editions and arrangements by Martin Souter.