Richard Wagner : The Britannic Organ, Vol.5: Welte Philharmonie Org

   in Choir & Organ (Jul, 2013)
Volume 5 in Oehms Classics’ series resurrecting recordings originally made on rolls from 1904 to 1932 for Welte Philharmonie’s ‘Britannic’ reproducing organ (built for the Titanic’s sister ship and now housed in the Museum of Music automatons, Seewen) turns its focus to Wagner in his bicentenary year. Sixteen of the 64 available transcriptions from the Britannic’s archive are included on two generously filled discs. Excellent transfers and detailed documentation adds to the fascination of hearing the likes of Clarence Eddy (his luminous ‘Liebestod’ from Tristan und Isolde altogether mesmerising), Edwin H. Lemare (a rousing Meistersinger overture) and Kurt grosse (an intense Gotterdammerung Funeral March) among others and – one for curio …