The King Of Instruments, A Voice Reborn – Stephen Cleobury

   in Choir & Organ (Sep, 2017)
Stephen Cleobury makes an all too rare return to the organ for this first recording on King’s College, Cambridge’s newly restored IV/79 Harrison & Harrison. The imaginative programme – ranging from Bach to George Baker – gives full voice to the historic 1934 instrument housed in Thomas Dallam’s 1660 casing, splendidly so in Surround Sound. At its centre is Mendelssohn’s majestic F minor Organ Sonata, with former King’s chorister and organ scholar Simon Preston’s Alleluyas a pleasing curtain raiser. Six Preludes by Bach showcase the instrument’s shining new stops, Franck’s Pièce héroïque accenting its bilingual capabilities. Baker’s Procession Royale is fun and feisty by turns. Excellent notes and colour photographs …