Joseph Callaerts (1830-1901)
Organ works
Peter Van de Velde
Pierre Schyven Organ (1891), Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp (B)
| Joseph Callaerts (1830-1901) : |
| Toccata E minor [Op. 29] |
| Elegie A major [Op. 31, 10] |
| Canzona A minor [Op. 21, 5] |
| Symphonie pastorale E major [Op. posth.] |
| Scherzo G minor [Op. 31, 12] |
| Larghetto D major |
| Première Sonate C minor [Op. 30] |
| Adoration A flat major [Op. 21, 4] |
| Plechtige Optocht E flat major |
| Toccata Final D major [Op. 23] |
Peter Van de Velde, Organ
Playing time: 1:21 (h:m)
Booklet: 32p., English German French Dutch
Order Nr. AE 11151
EAN 4026798111519
Product category: SACD
Release date: 01/07/2018
- play_circle_outline Toccata Op.29
- play_circle_outline Elegie Op.31, 10
- play_circle_outline Symphonie pastorale Op.30 - Grand Choeur
- play_circle_outline Symphonie pastorale Op.30 - Allegro
- play_circle_outline Symphonie pastorale Op.30 - Andante
- play_circle_outline Sonate No.1 - Andante cantabile
- play_circle_outline Sonate No.1 - Finale
- play_circle_outline Toccata Final Op.23
After a fundamental three-year restoration (2014-2017), it sounds again: the famous Pierre Schyven organ (1891) in the Cathedral of Antwerp. The first recording after it's restoration was eagerly awaited...
On the evening of April 13 this year, the approximately 1,000 visitors to Antwerp Cathedral (including Aeolus producer Christoph M. Frommen) listened to the powerful sounds of the recently restored instrument under the fingers of titular organist Peter Van de Velde. The patience was worth it. The instrument has gained some power and abundance through some clever measures (the swell has been raised by two meters, the front has been moved forward by one meter, a large magazine bellow, originally intended but never built-in, has been added) and now even in the back area of the church the sound level is absolutely satisfying. Because a lack of power was said to the instrument already at its inauguration in 1891. In this respect, the result of the recent restoration can be considered as absolutely successful!
For the first recording after the restoration, Peter Van de Velde has selected works by Joseph Callaerts (1830 - 1901). For historical reasons, because Callaerts had been the first titular organist of this famous instrument. Some of the works recorded here are even world premiere recordings (from manuscripts). Many of Callaerts' works have instructions for registrations designed for the Schyven organ of Antwerp Cathedral, and only here they can be realized in exactly the right way. So it will be really exciting to do a comparison "before - after" thanks to Aeolus' recordings!
info
Super Audio CD (SACD) Information
This 'Hybrid' Super Audio CD plays on all CD players and SACD players.
CD Audio: Stereo
SACD: Stereo High Resolution + Multichannel Surround High Resolution
Reviews on “Callaerts: Organ works”
Music Web International Stephen Greenbank, September 11, 2018 :
To say that Joseph Callaerts has been given short shrift by the record companies is an understatement. Browsing the internet, I could only find a couple of collections where he has been included as one of several. Unless I am mistaken, this is the first album devoted exclusively to his organ music. In fact, I have never heard of him, so this latest release from Aeolus has been, for me at least, a voyage into unchartered territory.
Callaerts, born in Antwerp in 1830, received his earliest musical grounding in the choir of Our Lady's Church (later to become the city's cathedral in 1961). He later studied at the Conservatory in Brussels, where he won first prize for organ in 1856, under the mentorship of Jacques Lemmens. For the rest of his life he held organ and teaching posts, and in 1863 succeeded Jan Frans Volckerick as Antwerp's carillonneur. Aside from his organ compositions, he wrote an opera called Le Retour imprévu, a symphony, piano concerto, organ concerto, choral music, chamber music, songs and works for solo piano.
Two larger-scaled works form the bulk of the recording, each of almost twenty minutes duration [...]