Leo Sowerby: Land of Rest
Robert Parris, organ
C. B. Fisk Organ
Christ Episcopal Church
Macon, Georgia
Acclaimed organist Robert Parris presents a varied selection of works particularly suited to the new C. B. Fisk organ in Macon, Georgia. The program showcases the Fisk brand of eclecticism in a large two manual organ. The organ includes a range of historically derived sounds, which make the authentic performance of certain repertoire possible, but also allowing for a wide range of styles. At the center of the program is the American composer Leo Sowerby's seldom-recorded Prelude on "Land of Rest." Robert Parris was featured recitalist at Disney Hall during the 2004 AGO convention in Los Angeles.
Buxtehude: Præludium in C, BuxWV 136
Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, BuxWV 198
Gott der Vater, wohn uns bei, BuxWV 190
J. S. Bach: Sonata VI in G, S. 530
Wir glauben all an einen Gott, Vater S. 740
Toccata and Fugue in d minor, S. 539
Franck: Fantaisie in A
Sowerby: Prelude on "Land of Rest"
Dupré: Variations on a Noël, Op. 20
This hefty "little" Fisk was the only two-manual instrument built between 1993 and 2004, other instruments surrounding it on Fisk's opus list being much larger, including the gargantuan instrument at Lausanno Cathedral. But this modest sibling shares many of the traits that characterize the esteemed builder, in particular the dualistic tonal scheme of its two manual divisions, one German, the other French. Dr. Parris convincingly presents an eclectic program showcasing the instrument's versatility. He demonstrates the various distinctive solo voices in two chorale preludes and a praeludium by Buxtehude. In Bach's Trio Sonata No. 6 he follows registration suggestions given by Griepenkerl (1844): two 8' Principals in the first movement, two 8' flutes in the second, and the Hautbois partnering with the 8' Octave in the third. In Bach's Dorian Toccata and Fugue, we hear the two plenum choruses in dialogue. Sowerby's substantial Prelude on "Land of Rest," cast in canonic form throughout, demonstrates another side of the instrument, with its gradual buildup to full organ and back to a whisper. In Franck's Fantaisie in A and Dupré's Variations on a Nöel, the flutes and reeds in particular lend a decidedly French accent. Robert Parris is a professor of music and university organist at Mercer University in Macon and Atlanta. He is a solid, no-nonsense performer whose playing is characterized by vitality, clarity, rhythmic freedom and stability, lyricism, and stylistic integrity.
—The American Organist
Recently a few recordings of relatively small instruments have come onto the market—a welcome development that shows how effective they can be under the hands of an imaginative performer, which Dr. Parris certainly is. From the title, I had inferred the music would be mostly or all by Leo Sowerby. We are treated, instead, to Buxtehude, Bach, Franck and Dupré, as well as the title piece. Robert Parris is organist-choirmaster of Christ Church and professor of music and university organist of Mercer University.
Bach’s sixth Trio Sonata is given a little performance with proper registration: one can readily discern the individual voices. His “Dorian” Toccata likewise shows the value of a largely independent pedal, even in a relatively small instrument. The playing is accurate and solid. The tonal resources of the organ are beautifully adapted for the Franck Fantasie in A, and Landof Rest is given a sympathetic performance, ingenious canons and all, reinforcing my conviction that Sowerby is our foremost American composer of music for the organ.
This CD concludes with Dupré’s great Variations on a Noel. What a wonderful composition this is! Dr. Parris shows just how it ought to go.
—The Diapason
