Ute Gremmel-Geuchen (Richard Ibach Organ - 1864)
Release Date: 16 June 2023
Label: Aeolus
Packaging Type: Super Jewel Case (SACD)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 4026798113711
Genres: Classical Solo Instrumental
Description
Jan Albert van Eyken's organ works stand in the tradition of the organ compositions of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and Robert Schumann. His three large organ sonatas are now available for the first time in one complete recording.
For this recording, organist Ute Gremmel-Geuchen has chosen a precious instrument by the Richard Ibach company from Barmen (today Wuppertal-Barmen): the three-manual organ of the Sint-Gertrudiskerk in Bergen op Zoom was built in 1863/64 and restored by the Verschueren company in 2011. Today it is the largest surviving organ from this firm!
It is interesting to note that the Dutchman van Eyken worked as a church musician in Elberfeld (now Wuppertal) from 1854 on, and is documented as having played several concerts for the inauguration of new Ibach organs: in Halver and in the Constantine Basilica in Trier. In this respect, the music and the instrument are an ideal pairing, since the organs of the Ibach company must have been very familiar to the composer.
"Ute Gremmel-Geuchenn performs wit great elegance on the wonderfully dark and terce-laden Iback organ […]. The match of organ and repertoire is exceptionally convincing." – Choir & Organ (4 STARS)
"Van Eyken's music is an easy and satisfying listen and is certainly not challenging in any way. Ute Gremmel-Geuchen is the perfect advocate to elucidate the treasures that lie therein. The sound quality is top notch. The Ibach organ is a glorious instrument and very well suited to this music. The booklet notes, in German and English, are excellent in every way. For me, it's been an intriguing discovery." – MusicWeb International
Tracklisting
Compagnia Transalpina
Daniel Roth
Bob van Asperen
Mona Hartmann
Elke Volker
Helene Schmitt
Rene Perler; Romano Giefer
Capriccio Baroque Orchestra; Karen Valter
Anna Reichert
Anthony de Mare; Conrad Tao
Pierre-Stephane Meuge
Jonas Seeberg
Yonghuan Zhong
Szymon Nehring
Slava Guerchovitch
Nora von Marschall
