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Track(s) taken from CDA66917

Prelude on Von Himmel hoch

composer
on the tune by Martin Luther (1483-1546)

Christopher Herrick (organ)
Recording details: July 1996
Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík, Iceland
Produced by Paul Spicer
Engineered by Paul Niederberger
Release date: April 1997
Total duration: 1 minutes 57 seconds
 

Reviews

‘This performance [Reubke] surpasses any version yet to appear on CD. I can't think of any other organ record which I've found so unfailingly magnificent’ (Gramophone)
Johann Pachelbel’s lilting 12/8 Prelude on ‘Vom Himmel hoch’ sets the tune in the pedals against two manual parts, which treat each line of the chorale in dialogue. High-sounding stops emphasize the dancing quality of the piece, while the angels’ tidings to the shepherds are greeted on the last note by the nightingale, a suitably festive jeu d’esprit.

from notes by Stephen Westrop © 1997

Le chantant Prélude sur «Vom Himmel hoch», à 12/8, de Johann Pachelbel place la mélodie dans les pédales, contre deux parties de manuel, qui traitent chaque ligne du choral en dialogue. Des registres grandiloquents accentuent la qualité dansante de la pièce, tandis que les nouvelles annoncées par les anges aux bergers sont accueillies sur la dernière note par le rossignol, un jeu d’esprit adéquatement festif.

extrait des notes rédigées par Stephen Westrop © 1997
Français: Hypérion

Johann Pachelbels munteres Präludium über ‘Vom Himmel hoch’ im 12/8-Takt stellt die Melodie im Pedalwerk zwei Manualstimmen gegenüber, welche jede Choralzeile dialogisch behandeln. Durch hohe Register wird die tänzerische Natur des Stückes besonders hervorgehoben, und die Botschaft der Engel an die Hirten wird beim letzten Ton von der Nachtigall gegrüßt – ein gebührend feierliches Zeugnis dieser Geisteshaltung.

aus dem Begleittext von Stephen Westrop © 1997
Deutsch: Manuela Hübner

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