Joseph Haas (1879-1960):
2 Church Sonatas, Op. 62
- No. 1 in F Major, "Jubilate"
- No. 2 in D Minor, "Es ist ein Schnitter"
Choralfughette
- No. 33. Valet will ich dir geben
- No. 31. Straf mich nicht
- No. 26. O Jesu Christ, meines Lebens Licht - Ach bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ
- No. 3. Aus meines Herzens Grunde
- No. 4. Aus tiefer Not schrie ich zu dir
- No. 13. Herzliebster Jesu
- No. 21. Nun danket alle Gott
- No. 17. Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
- No. 34. Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her
- No. 35. Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
Prelude No. 11 in E Major
Max Reger (1873-1916):
Air (Aria) on J.S. Bach - O Mensch, bewein' dein' Sünde gross, BWV 622 (version for violin and organ)
4 Tondichtungen nach Arnold Bocklin, Op. 128: No. 1. Der geigende Eremit (arr. K.U. Ludwig for violin and organ)
Josef Renner Jr. (1868-1934):
Organ Suite No. 1, Op. 56: II. Canzone (arr. for violin and organ)
Interlude in F Major, Op. 85

Back in 2018 the TYXart label released a captivating recording of the Christnacht Op. 85 by Joseph Haas, a charming Christmas Liederspiel which I felt was a welcome diversion from the usual Christmas music fare. His two Kirchensonate (Church Sonatas) are just as compelling, especially the first sonata which is a Christmas piece based on the traditional In dulci jubilo. Finely crafted and written in such a way as to seamlessly coalesce the contrasting violin and organ parts, they prove to be the work of a great composer whose music has been unjustly overlooked. And all of his Chorale Fughettas for organ solo, despite being rather short, speak of a composer well versed in the baroque contrapuntal style.

German composer and organist Max Reger was so immersed in the study of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach that it's practically impossible not to notice the old master's influence on his work. So it's not surprising to see here an arrangement of his for violin and organ of one of Bach's Chorale Preludes. On the other hand, the lesser-known Josef Renner Jr. who was organist at Regensburg Cathedral, studied under Josef Rheinberger, and his music is marked by late 19th century romanticism and lush lyricism. His Interlude in F Major in particular, I believe presented here in its world premiere recording, with its passionately soaring melodic writing for the violin set against the organ's darker harmonic transitions, is one of the highlights of this CD.

Accompanied by Norbert Düchtel and Ludwig Schmitt who share the organ duties on this recording, violinist Sreten Krstić, who's been the principal concertmaster of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra since 1982, lends each piece its distinctive character, be it baroque-themed nobility or all out romantic idealism. The audio recording hits the ideal dynamic and tonal balance between the two instruments and sets everything within a natural acoustic. Recommended for both violin and/or organ enthusiasts as well as those seeking hitherto unheard music.