The Phelps Organ at Hexham Abbey played by John Green

CRC801-2

£12.00

Works by J S Bach, C P E Bach, Böhm, de Gringy and Mendelssohn

Track Listing:

[1] JS Bach - Prelude & Fugue in G BWV 541 - prelude
[2] - fugue
[3] Georg Bohm - Variations on 'Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend'
[4] JS Bach - Concerto in D min BWV 596 - I
[5] - II (grave)
[6] - III (fuga)
[7] - IV (largo e spiccato)
[8] - V 
[9] Nicolas de Gringy - Ave maris Stella
[10] - Fugue
[11] - Duo
[12] - Dialogue sur les grands Jeux
[13] CPE Bach - Sonata IV in A min Wq 70,4 - Allegro assi
[14] - Adagio
[15] - Allegro
[16] Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy - Sonata I in F Op65 - Allegro moderato e serioso
[17] - Adagio
[18] - Andante Recit - Allegro assi vivace
[19] JS Bach - Passacaglia in C min BWV 582

Total playing time 79:39

Reviews:
This organ is a masterpiece. It is also unique inasmuch as it is the only organ in Britain built by the firm of Lawrence Phelps and Associates USA. The Hexham organ created something of a sensation in 1974 - now here is a splendid new CD, recently recorded by the Abbey's Director of Music, John Green. 
His impeccable performances are crystal clear, well poised and stylishly presented. The French music is particularly impressive, the Hexham organ the precise organ colours demanded by this music - the full grands jeux in particular is appropriately exciting. The light registrations used in the CPE Bach Sonata are a special delight and the organ shows that it can also give an excellent account of Mendelssohn, whose organ music is actually more classical than romantic, and better suited to this type of organ than an overtly Romantic one. The performances of the Bach works are models of clarity and precision of articulation, and the chorale variations by Bohm offer a chance to hear a variety of interesting registrations (all of which are listed in the CD booklet). The recording quality is excellent, as is the overall production by The Classical Recording Company.
John Kitchen - Edinburgh - May 1998

On this showing, Phelps' classical organ at Hexham is a most rewarding instrument, containing some lovely tone colours, strong and well balanced choruses and superb clarity...... this recording gave unalloyed pleasure, for its well balanced programme, splendidly musical and technically assured playing, fine recording and the wonderful tone of the organ. I hope more recordings will reach us from this source - this disc is worth your money!
Organists Review, November 1998