The west gallery organ at Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral, whose modern zigzag roof looms over the city, was already one of the world's largest organs, with 130 stops. A renovation completed in the early 2020s, after the organ had been unplayable for some 25 years, linked it to another organ for a probably unmatched total of 185. It is not clear how many of those were employed by cathedral organist
Konstantin Reymaier
on this recital of
Cesar Franck
's works, but general listeners will agree that the instrument makes a mighty noise indeed.
Reymaier
inaugurated the newly renovated organ in 2020 with an album featuring the likes of
Bach
's
Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
, as well as music from
Star Wars
. Listeners are encouraged to seek out that release as well, but the present album offers a closer focus on the organ's capabilities, with works by
Franck
that were specifically intended to exploit the new organs constructed in France by
Aristide Cavaille-Coll
toward the end of the 19th century.
points out that, although the St. Stephen's organ was not a
Cavaille-Coll
instrument, it is its equal and can bring a new perspective on
's music. Sample the first of the
Trois Chorals pour orgue
and hear the incredible definition
can bring to the lines.
Deutsche Grammophon
does an excellent job recording in St. Stephen's, and this recording will stand up to high-end audiophile equipment. ~ James Manheim