After having released a 19 SACD edition with the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach in 2012, awarded the "Echo Klassik" in 2013 for the "audiophile multichannel production of the year" as well as the "Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik", AEOLUS now presents a brilliant recording of the complete keyboard music of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck played by the recognized dutch organist and harpsichordist Léon Berben.
Three prestigious and caracteristic organs have been selected for this project: the historic Hans Scherer organ at the St.Stephanus church in Tangermuende (1624), the renaissance organ (1521) at the Grote Kerk in Oosthuizen (Netherlands) as well as the reconstruction of a renaissance organ (1600) at the Saint-Jacques church in Liège (Belgium) built in 1998 by Guido Schumacher. In addition to that a harpsichord made by Keith Hill (1999) after an original by Ioannes Ruckers (1624, today preserved in Colmar (F) Unterlinden museum) was used for the toccatas and the Lied variations.
In terms of sound and tonal caracter all three organs are highly impressive. You will be overwhealmed not only by the quality and variety of the little renaissance organ of Oosthuizen. In the Scherer organ in Tangermuende about 50% of the original pipework from 1624 has been preserved which makes this organ an instrument "par excellence" for Sweelincks music. The reconstruction of the Niehoff organ in Liège counts among the most felicitous copies in style during the past 20 years of organbuilding.
Léon Berben's reputation as an organist and harpsichordist is excellent and he is considered as an expert for early baroque music. On our label AEOLUS he has already recorded some other beautiful albums: the organ works Vincent Lübeck, Johann Ulrich Steigleder, Franz Xaver Anton Murschhauser, Johann Caspar Kerll and in particular an SACD with organ music by Joan Cabanilles which has been awarded the "Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik", "Diapason d'Or" and "Choc du Monde de la Musique".
Our new Sweelinck edition is delivered – as was our Bach-Box – in a prestigious „lift off lid box“. Each CD come in a full color CD sleeve with picture. The full color two languages booklet (english and german) has 52 pages. There is an article on Sweelinck's life and music as well as an introduction with some personal thoughts by the performer. The texts on the organs have been written by the recognized dutch organ expert Koos van de Linde. All pictures in full color and organ stoplists are of course included.
Lovers of baroque organ music and audiophile sound (self-evident at AEOLUS !) should not miss this edition !
Information for US based customers: this recording is also available from JAV recordings. Please click the following link:
