The town hall/concert hall organ of the 19th and early 20th century may have been created in the UK by organ builders such as Hill, Lewis & Willis, but it has exported well; it would be nice to think that this CD will do so too. The 1902 three-manual Lewis organ in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow is one of the finest examples of this type of instrument, and Byram-Wigfield’s programme fits it like a glove: one of the principal roles of such instruments was the playing of orchestral transcriptions. Thanks to Timothy Byram-Wigfield and the arrangers, one can appreciate them as successful solo organ pieces in their own right.

Byram-Wigfield’s performances are superb; there’s none of the shallow, showy musicianship one hears from a few international recitalists, but instead, carefully crafted interpretations played with consummate skill. There’s rhythmical and incisive phrasing in the faster music, and a spacious, singing style in the slower passages. Full and imaginative use is made of the Kelvingrove organ’s colourful registers, and the opulent magnificence of this instrument is well captured by Delphian’s recording. Jeremy Cull’s booklet notes make their own telling contribution towards a thoroughly enjoyable CD.