1} Die Walkure: Ride of the Valkyries
2} Tristan und Isolde: Prelude
3} Danse macabre, Op. 40
4} Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, "Organ": I. Adagio
5} Carillon de Westminster
6} Pieces de fantaisie, Op. 53 (Suite No. 2): V. Clair de lune
7} Organ Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 14: VI. Final
8} Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, "Enigma": Variation 9: Nimrod
9} Organ Symphony No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42, No. 1: V. Toccata

This disc is special.

Think of it as an after dinner liqueur. Well thought out, perfectly balanced. Any more is too much, any less is just not quite enough.

Mélanie Barney is a very accomplished organist in terms of technical ability, but what I appreciate the most is her timing and sense of registration.

The organ chosen for this disc is a mighty old Casavant in Québec. Very much in the soundscape of Cavaillé-Coll. Mélanie uses the resources of this instrument to recreate a number of transcriptions of large symphonic works and good old organ music.

We get a ride with Richard Wagner and a dance with Camille St-Saëns. A little clock music from Louis Vierne and some Pomp and little circumstance from a knightly Mr. Elgar. The finishing touch is a massive "to touch" from Charles-Marie Widor.

Puns intended, these are well known pieces that even with these scant descriptions are probably well known. But please do no write this CD off as a "been there and done that" type of recording. This will get your ears perked up to listen to new insights on these brilliant pieces of music. This CD deserves a place on the shelves of music lovers as a tribute to what can be accomplished with the art of music.

Whole heartedly recommended.

"A breathtaking collection of works as spectacular as Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre and Wagner's Walkyries adapted for organ along with other great classics of organ music. Melanie Barney presents a thoroughly modern rendition. With the innovative recording technique in 24/192, this is one of Fidelio Musique's true audiophile gems." {Naxos}

Mark Kravchenko - March 2013