Organ History (1997)

Arturo Sacchetti's Organ History recordings for the Arts label offer a broad survey of music from many countries, and this installment covers nineteenth- and twentieth-century works from Russia. Since Russia is the least likely of the nations represented to have produced any original organ literature -- due to the instrument's exclusion from Orthodox churches and relegation to the concert hall -- it is therefore not surprising that most of this music is heavily derivative of German and French styles, and almost exclusively ... Read More

Arturo Sacchetti's Organ History recordings for the Arts label offer a broad survey of music from many countries, and this installment covers nineteenth- and twentieth-century works from Russia. Since Russia is the least likely of the nations represented to have produced any original organ literature -- due to the instrument's exclusion from Orthodox churches and relegation to the concert hall -- it is therefore not surprising that most of this music is heavily derivative of German and French styles, and almost exclusively secular in nature. While a few of these pieces show the industriousness of their composers, such as Lyapunov's intricate Pastoral Prelude and Glazunov's ambitious Fantaisie, Op. 110, there is nonetheless an academic stodginess in this music that only occasionally allows for brilliance. Also noteworthy, though not exceptional, are Glinka's tidy Fugue, Tcherepnin's atmospheric Chant chérubique, and Shostakovich's odd Passacaglia from Katerina Izmaylova. Each offers a perspective on the... Read Less