"Diese Klänge können süchtig
machen!...Kaufen!”
(Karg-Elert-Gesellschaft)
Disc of the Month - May 2006
(Toronto, Wholenote)
Sigfrid Karg-Elert Edition, Vol. 2
Elke Völker (Organ)
Immanuel Willmann (Violin)
Michael Boese (Trumpet)
Inka Henze (Soprano)
Rotraud Riedel (Soprano)
Hanna Wardetzki (Alto)
Ulla Kostia-Mielke (Alto)
Wolfgang Mielke (Conductor)
Bremen, St.Petri Cathedral - Sauer organ (IV/98, 1894/1996)
Contents
Canzona and Toccata [op.85,1]
Fantasy, canzona, passacaglia and fugue [op.85,2]
Fugue, canzona and epilogue "Credo in vitam venturi" [op.85,3]
Sanctus (for violin and organ) [op.48b No.1]
Pastorale (for violin and organ) [op.48b, Nr.2]
Passacaglia and fugue on B-A-C-H [op.150]
Playing time: 1:18 (h:m)
Booklet: 28p., English German French
Order Nr. AE 10171
EAN 4026798101718
Product category: CD
Release date: 01/09/2002
Review
WHOLENOTE (Music Magazin Toronto), John S. Gray, May 2006
Disc of the Month
It’s about time that Karg-Elert enjoyed a revival. The German composer’s post-romantic
organ works will surely make a good impression on listeners with this, the second volume
in a series by organ virtuoso Elke Völker. Recorded at the massive 98-stop Wilhelm Sauer
1893 organ in the acoustically rich interior of the St. Petri Dom in Bremen, this is music to
shake rafters from cathedral to condominium.
The 1910 Three Symphonic Canzonas are spellbinding. Unexpected appearances by
instruments and voices beyond the organ make this set utter magic, especially in the third
part, Fuge, Kanzone und Epilog. Two Pieces for violin and organ, dating back to 1903,
continue this display of Karg-Elert’s inventive pairing, showing us his more introspective
side.
The last piece, Passacaglia and Fugue on B-A-C-H, op. 150 is from very late in Karg-
Elert’s life, and controversy and confusion about the authenticity of parts of the score still
remain. As presented it is adensely chromatic work, nearly 20 minutes in lenght.
Völker plays all with ease and grace; violinist Immanuel Willmann is well-matched to the
organ in the Two Pieces. There are four singers: Inka Henze, Ratraut Reidel, Hanna
Wardetzki and Ulla Kostia-Mielke, and they deserve much praise for their work here.
Trumpeter Michael Boese is excellent. As expected, the organ Stopps have a whole page
in the notes, and even the microphones are credited. Splendid!
