Brahms’ most significant works for the organ are the “11 Chorale Preludes Op. 122”, his very last compositions, published 5 years after his death in 1897. The chosen Chorales all related to the suffering and death of Christ. Written after the death of his beloved Clara Schumann the mood is stark and somber, foreboding his own death. The style is based on the counterpoint of Johann Sebastian Bach, the music expressing the words of the text. • The other organ works on this CD are from an earlier period of Brahms’ life. • Italian organist Adriano Falcioni plays on the magnificent 1904 Rieger organ of Amelia Cathedral in Italy, the history and specifications of which are included in the booklet. • Adriano Falcioni is one of the foremost organists of Italy, he recorded for Brilliant Classics works by Daquin, Couperin, Bruhns, Muffat, Reger, Franck and Duruflé.
Works:
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude and Fugue on 'O Traurigkeit, o Herzleid', WoO 7
•
Brahms: Chorale Preludes (11), Op. 122
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 1 'Mein Jesu, der du mich'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 2 'Herzliebster Jesu'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 3 'O Welt, ich muss dich lassen'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 4 'Herzlich tut mich erfreuen'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 5 'Schmücke dich, o Liebe Seele'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 6 'O, wie selig seid Ihr doch, Ihr Frommen'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 7 'O Gott, du frommer Gott'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 8 'Es ist ein Ros entsprungen'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 9 'Herzlich tut mich verlangen'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 10 'Herzlich tut mich verlangen'
•
Brahms: Chorale Prelude Op. 122 No. 11 'O Welt, ich muß dich lassen'