New recording of popular French pieces

One look at the album cover is thought the most popular organ works of these composers Widor, Saint-Saens, Bizet and Fauré, at the latest in Bizet to get into thinking (I do not associate him primarily with organ music) and looks sometimes the track listing closely. First surprise: the exception of Widor's Organ Symphony No. 5 it is originally (also very popular French) orchestral works, which were transcribed for the organ / set. Where it usually arrives not only on the score but also putting the time available for recording instrument and the registration of the interpreter as organ interpretations. And that's exactly the mix of the selected pieces, the organ of the Essen Philharmonic Concert Hall and the organist Iveta Apkalna gives a very interesting result. This result carries (and here I want my Vorrezensentin clearly speak again) the unique handwriting and personality of the Latvian organist. In order to "get together" interpreter and CD a little more I recommend the way that simultaneously hear the SWR2 broadcast "Personal" from Sunday, 15.04., In which Iveta Apkalna was presented in work and interview.

Basically, to say the CD that was (also supported by the Registry) warm sound of the Essenes organ receptive technically very well captured. The dynamics of the pieces (of fine chamber music atmosphere to the "great organ din") is transferred both while listening through speakers and headphones.

The individual pieces:
The Organ Symphony No. 5 of Widor I have now heard so often, here I like especially the interpretation at the Essen organ, admittedly This interpretation simply my personal "sound idea" of this piece. The new recording is sound before many older recordings in my collection.
Could play the Danse macabre by Saint-Saens on the organ be called a "daring", but the transcription Edwin Lemare and the interpretation of woman Apkalna let me listen with interest, sometimes comes an almost intimate, yes chamber music atmosphere.
The Arlesienne Suite Bizet I previously knew only as an orchestral piece, but again I was pleasantly surprised how interesting and beautiful the "come off" on this recording on the organ. In the different sets come very different timbres into play, each set is registered highly individual, overall the impression remains of a romantic French piece, set up for the typical broad range of organs registry of French Romanticism. Again, go back more delicate passages in which one has the impression to be sitting right in the organ case, starting with "large" tutti passages.
Now the Marche follows héroique of Saint-Saens, and here the color of the previous game pieces will be resumed, here she is in me, no additional "Aha" effect a. But this is all the greater when the last piece, the Pavane by Fauré. The play was set up by the organist himself for the organ. The handset presents itself a locally almost restrained Orgelstück with wonderful quiet passages, beautifully recorded, here comes the feeling of sitting close to the gaming table, the recording technology ensures that you get the feeling not on one of the organ distant as audience listeners Place sit at but of being "part of the action". And again I have to admit meets the selected sound with a strong accent on the middle registers but beautifully supported by subtle bass (you can hear on the recording even the breath noise of a little delayed appealing wooden pipes !!!) absolutely my subjective perception of a beautiful sound. Thus, the Pavane is my personal highlight of this recording.