Search - Modest Mussorgsky, Edward Elgar, William [composer] Walton :: Music for Organ and Brass

Thrilling

David Saemann | 08/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is collected from two albums that were made in the early '80's. The prime reason for buying this disc is Arthur Wills's 1980 recording of his transcription for organ of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. It is absolutely thrilling. It has all the color of Ravel's famous orchestration, with an even greater expressivity than can be obtained from the less personal symphony orchestra. The registrations are continually enlightening, and the big moments are conveyed with suitable weight and lots of virtuosity. Wills has used the Ely Cathedral organ to what sounds like the best possible advantage. The early digital recording is big sounding, but with lots of detail. This is one of the very finest organ recordings I've ever heard. As for the remaining works for brass and organ, they were recorded in 1982 and sound a bit more distant than the Mussorgsky. The Elgar and Walton marches go very well, with the organ punctuating the big moments of the works. As for Wills's own music, it is not memorable but contains some thrilling moments for the massed brass and organ, brilliantly recorded. I would recommend this album to the organ collector or to anyone willing to try out a new take on Pictures at an Exhibition."