ORGELPUNKT - Trombone and Organ

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ORGELPUNKT - Trombone and Organ - Lea Suter (Organ) - Juan González Martínez (Trombone) - Franz Kuhn Trombone Quartet - 760623225364 - Released: April 2022 - MDG 9512253-6

Franz Liszt (1811-1886): Aria "Cujus animam" aus Stabat mater (Rossini)
Arno Hansen (1894-1950): Quartett IV
Richard Eckhold (1871-1903): Adagio
Friedrich August Belcke (1795-1874): Fantasia über ein Motiv aus "Der Ostermorgen"
Arno Hansen (1894-1950): Opernmelodien
Gustav Adolf Merkel (1827-1885): Arioso
Max Reger (1873-1916): Romanze
August Hänsel (1832-1860):
- Recitativo and Adagio
- Adagio
Friedrich August Belcke (1795-1874): Fantasia, Op. 58
Max Peters (1849-1927): Elegie, Op. 9
Paul Weschke (1867-1940): Marcia

Although titled Orgelpunkt (Organ Point), the organ in this recording plays second fiddle (pun intended) as accompanist to another versatile wind instrument, the trombone. This in turn created a unique challenge, but as the MDG notes explain, there is a solution to every problem: "The Sauer organ in the "Glocke" concert hall in Bremen has survived almost unchanged since 1928, despite all attempts to adapt the instrument to contemporary taste and fashion. The original pitch of 435 Hz has also been preserved - actually too low for ensemble playing today. However, the Franz Kuhn Trombone Quartet led by the enterprising Juan Gonzáles Martínez can fall back on an original trombone set from the 1920s. With this and together with organist Lea Suter, the four gentlemen bring remarkable literature from the heyday of virtuoso trombone playing to life in an authentic way. A wonderful addition to the first organ recital (reviewed here) on the previous album."

All the pieces on this CD are from the 19th century, except for the Arno Hansen works for trombone quartet. Then in high demand as a solo instrument, many composers strived to write for it, and although most of the composers listed above are not well known to the general public, it doesn't take away from the quality of the music at hand. Juan González Martínez always generates a rich and smooth tone, along with a highly cantabile delivery. He also has a few flawless technical tricks up his slide, a fine example being a perfectly achieved extended trill at the 3:00 minute mark of the Fantasia, Op. 58 by Friedrich August Belcke, who was a concert trombonist himself. Organist Lea Suter's accompaniment not only supports the trombone well, but also serves to enhance it with a perfectly suited selection of the organ's stops.

It's recordings like these, from resourceful labels like MDG, that help expand and enrich the catalogue.

Jean-Yves Duperron - April 2022