Sonate über Choralthemen der katholischen Liturgie, Op. 70
Zwanzig Orgelstücke zum Gebrauch beim Gottesdienst, Op. 73
Suite pour Grand Orgue, Op. 90 (1920)

Fortunately for all of us organists out there, classical music labels like Toccata Classics are still hard at work researching, unearthing and recording hitherto unheard pipe organ pieces relegated to the dark corners of musical history, which are nonetheless just as impressive and of musical importance as any of the more popular works by famous composers.

The liner notes point out: "The enormously prolific Marie Joseph Erb (1858-1944) has somehow escaped the attention of posterity, although the quality of his music is on a par with contemporary organist-composers whose works are far better known. Erb's long life - he heard Berlioz conduct in 1863 and was still composing 80 years later - was focused on Strasbourg, where he was active as pianist, organist and professor, though he had studied in Paris, with Fauré, Gigout, Saint-Saëns and Widor, and later with Liszt in Weimar."

What I admire most about Alsatian composer Marie Joseph Erb's writing is his propensity for engaging themes and/or motifs that weave their way throughout a piece and serve as beacons along the way. A good example of this is the ascending motif which opens the Maestoso e lento opening movement of the Sonate, and then returns in full glory at the end. Or better yet, the full-fledged theme from the same Sonate's Allegro moderato movement {short audio clip below}, which travels from manuals to pedals and back in truly inventive fashion, until it reaches its climactic ending nine minutes later and sounds magnificent on the organ of Tampere Cathedral, one of Finland's most important and largest Romantic organs. Just as impressive as any Widor or Vierne toccata in my opinion. And at the other end of the dynamic spectrum but just as captivating, is this composer's lush harmonic writing which takes full advantage of the organ's colorful palette, as in the highly melodic Pastorale {audio clip below} from the Suite pour Grand Orgue.

Both the Zwanzig Orgelstücke and the Suite pour Grand Orgue are first recordings. Highly recommended to any and all pipe organ music enthusiasts.