Organ Fireworks, Vol. 12
Organ of Haderslev Cathedral, Denmark

Christopher Herrick’s enduring Organ Fireworks series on Hyperion is one of the most comprehensive and popular collections of repertoire in existence. For this twelfth volume he turns to the great organ of Haderslev Cathedral in Denmark, and performs a fascinating range of works with his usual triumphal panache.

A number of these pieces have a Danish connection, including two spirited works by Buxtehude who probably grew up in Denmark, and Tre Tonestykker by Niels Wilhelm Gade, a native of Copenhagen who was admired by Mendelssohn.

The third of Dupré’s Trois Préludes et Fugues is among the best-known and most popular of his works, notwithstanding its fearful technical difficulties. The final page, in which the notes hurtle towards the magnificent final cadence, places this among the most memorable of all fugues for organ.

The Czech composer Petr Eben (1929–2007) is represented by his Hommage à Buxtehude.

CDA67612  76 minutes 44 seconds
‘Herrick and Hyperion are to be congratulated for this excellent endeavour’ (American Record Guide)
‘The unfailingly superb Christopher Herrick … this instrument is just right for this music, and the sumptuous Hyperion sound captures it all with great clarity … these are fireworks good and ...
‘Christopher Herrick is an artist of the first rank … superbly characterful performances … and the sounds of this instrument are captured in beautiful, rich color’ (Fanfare, USA)