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CD Review
Masterworks for Organ, Orchestra & Percussion
- Jean Langlais: Third Concerto "Reaction" for Organ, String Orchestra and Timpani
- Robert Helmschrott: Concerto 'Lamento'
- Francis Poulenc: Organ Concerto in G minor
Franz Hauk, organ
Anno Kesting, percussion
The Georgian Chamber Orchestra, Ingolstadt/Markus Poschner
Guild GMCD7240 69m DDD
This latest release in Guild's altogether excellent Organ and Orchestra music series continues with a triptych of works from three modern composers. Langlais enormously complex Third Concerto is quite brilliantly played by Hauk and Kesting who negotiate the thrilling passages with aplomb and technical accomplishment. The five movements are short, biting pieces which continue to confirm Langlais' reputation as one of the finest writers for organ.
Robert Maximilian Helmschrott's 'Lamento' concerto is even more complex and occasionally communication between orchestra and soloists does seem to be on a wafer thin edge. However the work is resolved in an interpretation that would be quite difficult to surpass, at least in my opinion.
In the Poulenc, all are much more relaxed and they definitely enjoy the complex virtuoso passages that are an intrinsic part of the work's construction.
Guild's recording is serviceable and although there are moments when the balance is slightly fazed, I would rate this latest volume as the most challenging and intriguing in this organ and orchestra series.
Copyright © 2002, Gerald Fenech
