Christopher Herrick - Northern Lights
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Genre:
Instrumental
Label: Hyperion
Magazine Review Date: AW21
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 72
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: CDA68376
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Yes! |
Mons Leidvin Takle, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Lay my burden down, Movement: Amazing grace |
Iain Farrington, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
(12) Pièces nouvelles, Movement: Fiat Lux |
Théodore (François Clement) Dubois, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
See the golden sun rising from the ocean |
Christian Praestholm, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
The sun is rising in the east |
Christian Praestholm, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Lord, you give us life and happiness |
Christian Praestholm, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Fountain Reverie |
Percy (Eastman) Fletcher, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Festival Toccata |
Percy (Eastman) Fletcher, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Tre stycken, Movement: III. Toccata 'Herren, vår Gud, är en konung' |
Anders S Börjesson, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Toccata giocosa |
Hans-André Stamm, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
(10) Pièces, Movement: Toccata |
Eugène Gigout, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Prelude and Fugue |
Johannes Brahms, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
3 Compositions for Organ, Movement: III. Second concert study 'Flying feet' |
Pietro Alessandro Yon, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Wedding march |
Sverre Eftestøl, Composer
Christopher Herrick, Organ |
Author: Marc Rochester
Hyperion’s last release in the ‘Organ Fireworks’ series was over a decade ago, although a kind of highlights disc appeared in 2017. One might be forgiven, however, for thinking that the series has started up again with this new release featuring Christopher Herrick on the organ of Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Apart from a few cosmetic differences – the most obvious being it is called ‘Northern Lights’ rather than ‘Organ Fireworks’ – it follows, to all intents and purposes, exactly the same formula.
That formula is a spectacular organ fabulously recorded in a mixed-bag programme of pyrotechnic displays of dazzling organ sound, interspersing works with a local connection, standard virtuoso showpieces, plenty of hitherto unknown gems and a sprinkling of more serious works from the standard repertory, all played with glorious panache and wonderful communicative zeal by the indefatigable Herrick.
Following its restoration in 2014, the massive 1930 Steinmeyer organ is certainly a magnificent beast, with window-rattling 32-foot pedal stops, spine-tingling reeds and flue pipes that pack a truly hefty punch. Herrick shows it off in all its fabulous glory in popular showpieces including Percy Fletcher’s Festival Toccata and Gigout’s B minor Toccata, as well as in pieces that have about them the whiff of the showground vulgar – such as Takle’s Yes! and Yon’s manic Flying Feet, a world away from the naive Humoresque (Toccatina for flute) and the syrupy Gesù Bambino by which Yon is more commonly known. He also explores the instrument’s softer side with a warmly string-infused account of Iain Farrington’s corny (but inescapably charming) Amazing Grace and a perky little swing piece called The sun is rising in the east by the Danish organist/composer Christian Praestholm. A note of seriousness comes with Brahms’s Prelude and Fugue in G minor, which really suits this big Romantic instrument. Local flavour is found in the concluding Wedding March by Norwegian composer Sverre Eftestøl. The whole programme is played with consummate mastery by Herrick, who brings out the fun, the colour and the joy of both music and instrument.
Perhaps the biggest departure from the ‘Organ Fireworks’ series is that Herrick has written his own booklet notes, which means they may be less informative but have a strongly personal feel to them. Indeed, the whole album seems to be such a personal expression of gratitude for his long recording career that one fears this may be something of a swansong. I, for one, desperately hope not: the 79-year-old Herrick clearly has a lot left to give the organ world.
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