Cristo Trionfante
Christmas in Sicily
Gesu bambino
12 Divertimenti
Hymn of Glory
Organ Sonata No. 3, "Sonata Romantica"
Pastorale Sorrentina
Concerto Gregoriano
Organ Sonata No. 4, "Pastorale"
Elegia
Advent, "First Religious Suite for Organ"
Marche Pastorale (Shepherd's March)
Canto elegiaco
Prelude-Pastorale, "Dies est letitae" (Adeste fideles)
Organ Sonata No. 1
Toccata
Concert Study
Concert Study No. 2
Suite Umoresca, "La Concertina"
Organ Sonata No. 2, "Cromatica"

When the topic of conversation revolves around the great organ composers of the past, most often than not the names mentioned are always Bach, Widor, Franck, Vierne, Buxtehude, etc ... but no one ever brings up the Italian composer/organist Pietro Yon (1886-1943). Rather surprising when you consider that over 1,300 people, including Arturo Toscanini, attended his funeral. He was born in the province of Turin, Italy, but then moved to the United States in his twenties, and remained there for most of his life. His concert performances were always crowd pleasers, where he was often labeled as a 'virtuoso' of the organ. Because he played mostly on large, multi-timbral instruments, his own compositions are in a somewhat symphonic style. He didn't follow the early 20th century avant-garde trend, prefering to remain tonal and traditional. And because he was Italian, his music has a certain operatic cantabile feel to it, with the melody front and centre.

His Toccata is endowed with a triumphant melody which lends the piece plenty of forward momentum, while his Christmas in Sicily with its perfectly judged use of chimes and reedy stops warms the heart. The Marche Pastorale (Shepherd's March) sounds like it should be part of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, and the beautifully melodic Elegia brings out a pipe organ's tender side.

Organist and musicologist Elisa Teglia uses various Italian organs for this recording, and always applies what seems to be the most appropriate combination of stops best suited for each and every piece. Usually, large sets of pieces like these played on the same instrument tend to bring on ear fatigue, but her judicious choice of organs and registrations makes for enjoyable listening sessions. If you are an avid pipe organ cognoscente, try Pietro Yon for a change of scenery.