Mendelssohn used the Organ Sonatas, Op. 65, to explore the elasticity of the sonata structure, abandoning the more traditional three-movement form exemplified by Mozart.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded on two separate, interlinked mechanical action organs at Chelmsford Cathedral, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their completion.
Performer Biography
Samuel Bristow, the organist on this recording, performed the complete organ works of Felix Mendelssohn in 2021 as part of St Paul's Cathedral's 'Organ Giants' series.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Mendelssohn's Organ Sonatas, Op. 65, uniquely fuse the contrapuntal mastery of J.S. Bach with the Romantic harmonic language and pianistic technique of Ludwig van Beethoven.
Instruments
The Nave Organ at Chelmsford Cathedral has a fourth manual specifically dedicated to a solo Ophicleide, providing additional versatility for performances.
Recording & Production
Efforts were made in this recording to include every stop on both the Nave and Chancel organs of Chelmsford Cathedral.
Composition History
Felix Mendelssohn was commissioned by English publishers Coventry and Hollier to provide organ voluntaries, but he chose to compile them into sonatas for artistic reasons.
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