Dana Marsh Bach at Haarlem. Jonathan Dimmock, organ (Loft Recordings, LLC, 2013, www. Amazon.com), $20.89. This recording is a major achievement. The tonal brilliance and eloquence of the justly-famous Müller Organ in the Bavokerk, Haarlem, The Netherlands (1738) are brought fully to life through Loft’s superb engineering and production. The organ’s broad range of color … Read more
Jonathan Dimmock captures the spirit of the mystic Messiaen in his thoughtful and sympathetic treatment of some of the somposer’s most famous works: Transports de Joie (Outbursts of Joy) from L’Ascension, Dieu parmi nous (God among us) from La Nativité, and Le Banquet Céleste (The Celestial Banquet). But there are more esoteric offerings as well: … Read more
Known as the “Orpheus of Amsterdam,” Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was the greatest single influence on the succeeding generation of north European organists and composers, including H. Scheidemann, J. Praetorius II, M. Schildt, and both Samuel and Gottfried Scheidt. Jonathan Dimmock brings these influential works to life on three landmark mean-tone organs in Holland and Sweden. … Read more
Published in San Francisco Classical Voice by Jerry Kuderna Despite the fact that Bach was himself a great master of the organ, and composed for the instrument throughout his career, gaining his first renown performing on it publicly, most keyboard players (and listeners) today are likely to be much more familiar with his output of … Read more
Felix Mendelssohn, in addition to being one of the most respected composers, conductors, and one of the greatest pianists of his day, was also one of the finest organists and improvisers of his age. At least on two occasions he produced large-scale collections for the instrument: the Three Preludes and Fugues, op. 37, and the … Read more
These are fine performances on an organ almost uniquely suited to the works. It consists of three manuals (Hauptwerk, Positiv, and Echo) with a full Pedal stoplist and is found in the Kloster Weißenau, Ravensburg, Germany. It was built in 1787 by Holzhey, whose work Mendelssohn himself admired. The tone is marvelously fluid, but with … Read more
We have listened to organist (and musical polymath) Jonathan Dimmock ‘s new CD, Mendelssohn Organ Sonatas (Loft Recordings LRCD-1112). These works, written late in the composer’s brief life, take full advantage of the resources of the “king of instruments” as well as being prime examples of Mendelssohn’s unique musical genius. Jonathan plays these works masterfully … Read more
Mendelssohn, F.: Org Sons 1-6; Dimmock/Holzhey Org, Ravenburg, Germany [Loft] AUDIOPHILE (1 CD) Felix Mendelssohn’s (1809-1847) six organ sonatas (1844-45) can be considered romantic successors to J.S. Bach’s (1685-1750) works for that instrument. As performed here on one of Germany’s finest classical organs, it’s easy to understand why these late Mendelssohn pieces would go on … Read more