Translation of the German review:  

Horatio William Parker (1863 - 1919) was a great American composer, organist and music teacher. His mother, who was an organist, provided him with early musical education. From 1881 - 1885 he took lessons from Joseph Rheinberger in Munich. After his return to the USA, Horatio Parker worked as a music teacher and organist. After the premiere of his most successful work in New York in 1893, the oratorio Hora Novissima, he became famous and received prizes and honors. He is regarded as an outstanding composer who was influenced by the German academic tradition.

The composition of the Concerto for Organ and Orchestra in E flat minor op. 55 began during his time in Munich. It was completed in the winter of 1901, and he played the organ himself at the premiere on December 26, 1902, in Boston Symphony Hall with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Parker was a professor at Yale University at this time and had a great influence on American church music and the organ repertoire. The concerto reflects the musical influences of the composer's training. He was deeply attached to the German musical tradition, which is recognizable in the structural sophistication and thematic work of his work, using elements of the German Romantic style. However, in terms of liveliness and originality, combined with the clear tone, it is also a typically American work. It is considered one of the most important organ concertos of American Romanticism and is characterized by a deep emotional expression, a high degree of individuality and the exploration of complex harmonic structures. The dynamics range from very quiet to very loud passages, which intensifies the depiction of emotions. The concerto is permeated by dense harmonies and dramatic intensifications, which fully exploits the possibilities of romantic composition for organ and captivates the listener.

Following the late Romantic concerto tradition, the work consists of three movements: The first movement Allegro moderato is large and dramatic and is characterized by intense contrasts between orchestra and organ, setting the scene for striking themes both as a soloist and in dialogue with the orchestra. The second movement Allegretto, ma ben moderato is characterized by calm and lyricism. The organ unfolds its full sound palette and conveys Parker's fabulous talent for melodic lines and atmospheric soundscapes. The third movement Allegro moderato, molto risoluto is permeated by lively and rhythmic motifs. The orchestra and organ are energetic and dynamic. The Concerto op. 55 is one of the most striking American organ concertos and remains a demanding and popular work in the organ literature to this day.

According to recent research, the first recording was made in 2001 by Rainer Neuwirth (RN audio). Many happy moments came together here: A perfectly recorded Folkwang Chamber Orchestra Essen, together with the first-class Horst Remmetz on the organ, superbly conducted by Christian Brembeck. The excellent acoustics of Bottrop's Liebfrauenkirche were impressively captured by Rainer Neuwirth with a purist microphone setup: Two microphones at a height of eight meters (26 feet) and eight meters away from the organ cabinet and two microphones at a height of two meters (6.5 feet) for the orchestra, placed just behind the conductor. The four microphones were mixed via a TASCAM MX-4 to the Sony DTC 55 ES DAT recorder. In contrast to a concert in a church, where the organ would be behind you and the orchestra in front of you, the stereo mix to the two front speakers was perfect. The volume balance between the organ and the orchestra was masterfully achieved by Rainer Neuwirth.

For the copy master tape, the digital recording was played back with a TASCAM DA-20 Mk II and recorded with a Telefunken M15A via the telcom c4 noise reduction system. For the end customer, the copy master tape is played back on the same machine, decoded via the telcom c4 unit and transferred to a Studer A807. This procedure brings the signals onto the tape amazingly noise-free.

This master tape copy has a great radiance and is a highlight in the tape world. It is a perfect recording that presents the entire range from the softest harp to the fattest organ sound, everything sounds round and beautiful. It is an ideal introduction for people who want to get to grips with the subject for the first time. And of course, for old hands too.

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