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CHRISTOPHER HERRICK - INTERNATIONAL CONCERT ORGANIST
:. Organ Fireworks
That I am often typecast under the banner heading 'Organ Fireworks' has become something of a
cliché. This is my fault entirely. It was this title that persuaded the late Ted Perry,
back in 1983, to
record an organ disc made up entirely of thrilling and unusual repertoire and played by me on the
organ of Westminster Abbey. The disc, now known as Organ Fireworks I, was issued soon
afterwards on Ted's relatively new Hyperion label, a label that has now become a household name
internationally. The rest is history.
Organ Fireworks XIII was recorded at Västerås Cathedral, Sweden at the end of
May 2008 and was released May 2009. See review below…
Not to be fazed by the so-called unlucky number (actually, my lucky number!) Fireworks XIII has some thrilling repertoire recorded on a stunning Åkerman & Lund organ in this beautiful
Swedish Cathedral.
Originally built in 1898, with 40 stops, 5 on high pressure, it underwent various
modifications and enlargements in 1927, 1945, 1954 and 1961. The British firm Harrison & Harrison,
famous for their work in many British Cathedrals including Westminster Abbey, rebuilt the organ in
1998, restoring the 1898 sound but adding two high pressure reeds and a 32' pedal reed, bringing the
organ up to 64 stops. The programme is as follows:
Weitz - Grand Choeur 'Benedicamus Domino'
Bourgeois - Prelude and Toccata
Rinck - Variations on 'Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman' ('Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star')
Olsson - 'Credo in unum Deum' from Credo Symphoniacum
Lloyd Webber (father of the famous one!) - Dedication March
Lemare - Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Grainger - Handel in the Strand
Vaughan Williams - Prelude and Fugue in C minor
Duruflé - Choral varié sur le thème du 'Veni Creator'
Mathias - Recessional
Organ Fireworks XIV was recorded in Melbourne Town Hall, Australia in August 2009 and was released in June 2010. Their Grand Organ has an exciting history. After a fire had wiped out the previous instrument, Hill, Norman and Beard were engaged to build an organ which was completed in 1929. This organ had become unplayable, so the American firm Schantz was given the job of restoring and enlarging it. This mammoth organ, with its bass drum and side drum, its pedal 64' gravissima, its bank of strings and its large fanfare division on 20 - 25" wind pressure, is certainly an organ fireworks organ par excellence! Here is the programme:
Verdi - Grand March from 'Aïda'
Spicer - Fanfares and Dances
Franck - Pièce Héroïque
Farrington - Penguins, Giraffe and Barrel Organ Monkey
Lanquetuit - Toccata
Hollins - Triumphal March
S S Wesley - Choral Song and Fugue
Buck - Variations on 'Old Folks at Home'
Guilmant - Sonata No. 1 in D minor
Fireworks Discs
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'An indispensable survey of showpieces, each disc recorded on a different instrument, appealing equally
to the organ buff and the non-specialist'
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'Uniformly outstanding recordings'
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'Herrick's performances need no recommendation to those already acquainted with his dazzling skills'
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| - Classic CD |
- Gramophone |
- Good CD Guide |
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Organ Fireworks I
Westminster Abbey, London |
(CDA66121) |
1984 |
'If you want only one CD of a grand organ, this has to be it'
- Gramophone |
Organ Fireworks II
The Royal Albert Hall, London |
(CDA66258) |
1988 |
'The most stunning recording of this organ ever made. Buy it!'
- Organists' Review
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Organ Fireworks III
St Eustache, Paris |
(CDA66457) |
1991 |
'Here is something truly spectacular. One of the best recordings of an organ available on CD. A disc of pure, unadulterated pleasure'
- Good CD Guide
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Organ Fireworks IV
St Bartholomew's, New York |
(CDA66605) |
1992 |
'Herrick is a dazzling virtuoso player - I doubt whether any of these pieces has ever been played better'
- Gramophone
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Organ Fireworks V
Turku Cathedral, Finland |
(CDA66676) |
1994 |
'This is a splendid disc, as thrilling and truly spectacular as anything Hyperion have so far produced'
- Good CD Guide
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Organ Fireworks VI
Wellington Town Hall, NZ |
(CDA66778) |
1995 |
'Another winner from Herrick! His Elgar alone is worth buying the disc for'
- Organists' Review
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Organ Fireworks VII
Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík,
Iceland |
(CDA66917) |
1997 |
'I can't think of any other organ record which I've found so unfailingly magnificent'
- Gramophone
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Organ Fireworks VIII
Cultural Centre, Hong Kong |
(CDA66978) |
1997 |
'All are performed with Herrick's now predictable brilliance: familiarity still does not diminish the wonder of such outstanding playing'
- Gramophone
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Organ Fireworks IX
Berner Münster, Switzerland |
(CDA67228) |
2001 |
'Herrick's playing… can only be described as unfailingly brilliant. He is a musician with a powerful urge to communicate. And communicate he does, drawing on his enormous technical and intellectual resources to turn out performances which sometimes amaze, often astound but never fail to stimulate.'
- Gramophone
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Organ Fireworks X
Winspear Centre, Edmonton,
Canada |
(CDA67458) |
2004 |
'Who would ever have believed that so many dazzling fireworks could come from the Christopher Herrick/Hyperion pyrotechnics collection? Yet here is volume ten and we continue to be thoroughly entertained by superlative playing and stunning recording quality. This is a wonderfully diverse collection, ranging from the let-your-hair-down abandon of Takle's Blues-Toccata through to Liszt's towering Fantasia & Fugue on 'Ad nos salutarem undam'. If you are already a convert to this series, you will need no prompting to add this to your collection. If not, try this and you will be hooked.'
- Choir and Organ
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Organ Fireworks XI
Meyerson Hall, Dallas, Texas
USA |
(CDA67577) |
2006 |
'As we have come to expect from Christopher Herrick and Hyperion everything is done to the highest standard. The varied and exciting programme is convincingly played, making full use of the extensive tonal spread of the organ, whilst the accompanying programme notes are both comprehensive and interesting... Another fine organ firework display, which I'm certain readers will enjoy'
- Cathedral Music
'Christopher Herrick is his usual inimitable self, combining a sense of fun with a spontaneous grandeur which is at times totally arresting. The listener is also regaled with the impressive sound of the Lay Family Organ in Dallas, Texas, a 4535-pipe monster. Volume XII please?'
- Classical.net
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Organ Fireworks XII
Haderslev Cathedral
Denmark |
(CDA67612) |
2006 |
'The unfailingly superb Christopher Herrick… This instrument is just right for this music, and the sumptuous Hyperion sound captures it all with great clarity - These are fireworks good and proper, lit with unerring precision and vividly displayed … Herrick has come up with performances of the two great French show-pieces which are so perfectly suited to the instrument that these wonderful performances stand as yardsticks … You have, for my money at least, the most glitteringly splendiferous set of Fireworks so far'
- International Record Review
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Organ Fireworks XIII
Västerås Cathedral
Sweden |
(CDA67734) |
2009 |
'This instrument makes a pretty spectacular noise … With plenty of incendiary reeds and pyrotechnic stops, it provides yet another ideal organ on which Christopher Herrick can light his blue touch paper and not retire but leap onto the pyre and set off as many fireworks as he can in the space of 78 minutes … He is a fluent and fiery champion of the repertoire … Herrick manages to persuade us that it is all worth hearing. He delivers it with enthusiasm and the communicative zeal which is the hallmark of just about everything this outstanding organist ever seems to put his hands and feet to … For lovers of fine organ sound and often spine-tingly virtuoso playing … this disc most certainly is not thirteenth time unlucky'
- International Record Review
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Organ Fireworks XIV
Melbourne Town Hall
Australia |
(CDA67758) |
2010 |
A source of perpetual admiration in this endlessly rewarding series is the sheer amount of repertoire Christopher Herrick gets through ... Some wonderfully entertaining highlights, some memorably revisited classics ... Superb playing of a truly enticing programme, a richly magnificent instrument and a top-notch recording; what more could you want?
- Gramophone
Continuing this remarkably successful series of single CDs with the same generic title, this latest - Organ Fireworks XIV - implies a collection that can go on forever, and so far as I am concerned, assuming that Christopher Herrick maintains the high standards of repertoire selection and musical playing he has exhibited on this remarkable series of records thus far, I hope it does. Herrick is one of the finest organists currently before the public. This superb recital ends with a major work, Guilmant’s first Sonata of 1874, which receives a superb account from this eminently gifted player. The genuine inner life and contrapuntal energy of the finale are splendidly conveyed, bringing this very impressive work to its naturally powerful and joyous conclusion.
- The Organ
Hyperion must be the label of choice for all collectors and completists... The always excellent series of organ recordings with Christopher Herrick playing on different grand organs from around the world titled Organ Fireworks of which this is volume 14, with no end in sight. This time around, the instrument on display is the Australian Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ, considered to be the largest musical instrument in the southern hemisphere. Its power and stature are immediately put in evidence with the Grand March from 'Aïda' by Verdi. At the other end of the spectrum is the Animal Parade by Farrington, which shows that even an instrument this massive can display a sense of humour, a light touch, and the finest detail down to the smallest pipe. Dudley Buck 'Variations' bring out this organ's warmer side. But don't get lulled into a false sense of security, as the following Sonata by Guilmant opens with 'House of Horrors' sounding harmonies and chords with enough power to wake the dead, and whose final chord will send shivers down your spine and dispose of your neighbours. All of this is handled with flair by Christopher Herrick, one of today's leading organists.
- Classical Music Sentinel
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:. Organ Dreams
The perfect organ for Organ Dreams 4 was built by the Dutch firm, Pels & van Leeuwen in a French Romantic style for a Swedish church. The church, St Nicolai,
sometimes nicknamed the local cathedral because of
its fine architecture and beautiful acoustics, is situated in downtown Halmstad, an important town on
Sweden's west coast half way between Gothenburg and Malmö. The recording, made in May 2004 was
issued in February 2005. Here is the programme and organ specification.
...more
Dreams Discs
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Organ Dreams - 1
Temple Church, London |
(CDA67060) |
1998 |
'Immaculate playing'
- BBC Music Magazine
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Organ Dreams - 2
Ripon Cathedral, England |
(CDA67146) |
2000 |
'This disc is sensitively and affectionately played. Thoroughly enjoyable and strongly recommended'
- Gramophone
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Organ Dreams - 3
Truro Cathedral, England |
(CDA67317) |
2002 |
'A beautiful sense of intimacy and privacy pervades; nothing is hurried, nothing overdone - This is a superb disc'
- Gramophone
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Organ Dreams - 4
St Nicolai, Halmstad, Sweden |
(CDA67436) |
2005 |
'Whether your dreams are of the nocturnal or day variety there is plenty to enjoy on this fastidiously engineered disc; Herrick's playing is strong on communication and conviction. Most refreshing'
- Gramophone
'as ever, an enterprisingly devised selection of music, excellently performed on a pristine instrument. And, by the way, the quality of the recording is very good, too'
- International Record Review
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:. Buxtehude
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The project to record all Buxtehude's organ music over a five year period is now nearing conclusion.
What an exciting and interesting project Hyperion has asked me to undertake!
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The Complete Organ Works
Volume 1 |
(CDA67666) |
2008 |
'Herrick embarks on another epic for Hyperion, and the first instalment whets the appetite. Buxtehude's delicate contrapuntal intricacy is offset by occasional flamboyancy. The organ of Helsingør Cathedral, on Buxtehude's home ground of Denmark, offers an excellent colour palette.'
- Classical Music Magazine
'A magnificent sound … Herrick’s razor-sharp articulation is at one with Buxtehude's fastidiously chiselled counterpoint … An auspicious beginning.'
- BBC Music Magazine |
The organ used for the first disc was in Helsingør Cathedral, Denmark, where Buxtehude's father
was Organist. It is a classic P.G.Andersen organ from 1969 with a newly added 32' reed to bring
the specification closer to Buxtehude's Lübeck organ. The disc was issued in May 2008.
The repertoire for the first disc is in this attachment.
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The Complete Organ Works
Volume 2 |
(CDA67809) |
2009 |
The magnificent 1741 Wagner organ in Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral is in possession of some pugnacious reeds and a thrilling 'pleno'. It is an ideal choice for a disc which includes some big-boned Praeludia as well as Buxtehude's most extended organ work - the imposing Fantasia on the Te Deum whose architectural acuity Herrick unfolds with magisterial authority. Herrick's flair for apposite registration illuminates at every turn... Sonorously splendiferous.
- BBC Music Magazine
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The second disc was recorded in January 2009 at Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway on the historic 18th Century Wagner organ. This beautifully restored classic German organ sounds into a gloriously clear but resonant acoustic. The disc was issued in January 2010.
The repertoire for this second disc is in this attachment.
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The Complete Organ Works
Volume 3 |
(CDA67855) |
2010 |
The Praeludium in F sharp minor brings the disc to an arresting conclusion. The performance is exhilarating and Herrick judges the pacing to perfect dramatic ends while also having the opportunity to show off his brilliantly agile pedal technique - this recording, along with its two predecessors in the series, is a first-rate addition to the catalogue. On this evidence, Herrick's next release should be eagerly awaited.
- International Record Review
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The third disc was recorded in April 2010 on the new Aubertin organ in St-Louis-en-l’Île, Paris. This fabulous instrument, opened in 2005, is based on the work of Zacherias Hildebrant (1688-1757). The release date is March 2011.
The repertoire for this third disc is in this attachment.
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The Complete Organ Works
Volume 4 |
(CDA67876) |
2011 |
Christopher Herrick's performances in this series have breathed musical life into the rich repertoire of organ music by Buxtehude and this release is no exception. The expressive and thoughtful interpretations of the repertoire presented on this disc make it a worthwhile addition to any collection.
- International Record Review
Christopher Herrick clocks up another memorable recording. His terrifically nimble-fingered and fleet-footed playing betrays no sign of someone soon to be entering his eighth decade! The technical sound quality and chapel acoustics are very good, and the Trinity College organ - Metzler-built, like those in Herrick's celebrated complete Bach organ cycle - sounds superb. Buxtehude himself would almost certainly have enjoyed its breadth and power.
- MusicWeb.com
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The fourth disc was recorded in the Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge in early January 2011 on the grand 1975 Metzler organ.
The repertoire for this fourth disc is in this attachment.
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The Complete Organ Works
Volume 5 |
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This recording, in February 2012, marks the climax of the Complete Buxtehude series. The recently built Aubertin organ in Mariager Klosterkirke, Denmark, brings the cycle to a magnificent conclusion. How lucky to find a live, delicious and distinguished instrument sitting in such an acoustically rich church.
The repertoire for this fifth disc is in this attachment.
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:. Bach
1998 was the memorable
year that I gave 14 concerts on 14 consecutive days in the Lincoln Center Festival, playing all
Bach's organ music. Since then I have completed the Hyperion Bach recordings on Metzler
organs in Switzerland and, during the year 2002, the 16 CD Complete Bach Box Set was issued.
...more
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Bach's Complete Organ Works - Box Set of 16 CDs
Metzler Organs |
(CDS44121/36) |
2002 |
'These are the most persuasive, exciting and idiomatic performances of Bach's organ music to come round in at least half a century'
- San Francisco Chronicle.
'A must-have'
- Gramophone
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Bach: Organ Cornucopia
Kaisten |
(CDA67139) |
1999 |
'A seemingly limitless variety of sonorities, and Herrick's crisp articulation makes for clarity without mannerism'
- BBC Music Magazine
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Bach: Organ Miniatures
Rheinfelden |
(CDA67211/2) |
1997 |
'Seasoned with such loving care, such elegance and such finesse - Herrick displays immaculate taste. This is playing of the very highest order'
- Gramophone
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Bach: Partitas and Canonic
Variations
Bremgarten |
(CDA66455) |
1991 |
'This series looks set to become one of the pinnacles of modern recording'
- Gramophone
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Bach: The Clavierübung Chorales
and other 'Great' Chorales
Zofingen |
(CDA67213/4) |
1999 |
'Stunning - played with the bravado that brings his Bach performances so vividly to life'
- Gramophone
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Bach: The 'Great' Fantasias,
Preludes & Fugues
Lucerne |
(CDD22062) |
1993 |
'Herrick's musical inspiration, matched by his technique, does full justice to this pinnacle of the organ repertoire'
- BBC Music Magazine's Top 1000 CDs Guide
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Bach: The Italian Connection
Villmergen |
(CDA66813) |
1995 |
'A peach of a new release from a player whose Bach playing stands comparison with the very best'
- Organists' Review
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Bach: The Neumeister Chorales
Zofingen |
(CDA67215) |
2000 |
'A perfect match of music, organ and player'
- Classic CD
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Bach: The 'Orgelbüchlein'
Rheinfelden |
(CDA66756) |
1994 |
'Style, gout et invention sont parfaits - une approche magnifiquement virtuose, riche en couleurs et d'une articulation prodigieusement élaborée'
- Diapason
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Bach: The Six Trio Sonatas
Bremgarten |
(CDA66390) |
1990 |
'Outstanding' - BBC Music Magazine's Top 1000 CDs Guide
'Herrick's bubbly playing, not to mention Hyperion's superb recording, bring Bach vividly to life'
- Gramophone
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Bach: The Toccatas & Passacaglia
Zofingen |
(CDA66434) |
1990 |
'If you have only one disc of organ music in your collection this must be it'
- Good CD Guide
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:. Daquin
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Daquin: Douze Noëls
St Rémy, Dieppe, France,
1739 Parizot organ |
(CDH55319) |
1995 |
'This is marvellous playing, full of energy and irresistible jeu d'esprit'
- BBC Music Magazine
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:. Sweelinck
Yes, I did record Sweelinck’s organ works in Sweden as promised back in August 2002! It proved to be just as wonderful an experience as I had hoped, using old fingering, relishing the characteristics of the keyboard and pedals, wallowing in the special sound of the organ and being delighted by the way the mean tone temperament helped to bring Sweelinck’s music to life! It is now available as CDA67421/2 and here are some of the booklet notes.
...more
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Sweelinck Keyboard Music
Norrfjärden, Sweden |
(CDA67421/2) |
2003 |
'The finest recording of Sweelinck's keyboard music'
- Classics Today
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:. Rheinberger
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Rheinberger Suites for organ, violin and cello
All Saints' Parish Church,
Kingston upon Thames, UK |
(CDH 55211) |
1996 |
This disc has been reissued under the Helios label. Paul Barritt (violin) and Richard Lester (cello) joined me to play this, to quote Gramophone, 'charming music'.
'What unusual but highly successful combination organ, violin and cello turns out to be - forgotten but highly attractive music'
- Classic CD
'An unexpected delight; charming music, beautifully played and captured in an extraordinarily successful recording. As musical diversions go, this is certainly one to savour'
- Gramophone
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