Bach’s 18 Leipzig Chorales

During 2022, Daniel Bruun will publish a series of videos on YouTube featuring Johann Sebastian Bach's 18 Leipzig chorales, recorded at the Garnisonskirken. Follow the project on Facebook, or by signing up for this email list:

Daniel Bruun Playing The Organ

Video

24 Pièces de Fantaisie

During 1926 and 1927, the French organist Louis Vierne composed four suites, each containing six major works. Together with his six symphonies, they are among his most well-known works. The 24 pieces all have different titles, with Vierne referring to nature and man, human emotions and actions; and his fascination with cathedral architecture.

Vierne was at the peak of inspiration when he composed the four suites. He shows an array of different styles, ranging from impressionistic, pianistic-virtuosic and lyrical to festive.

Suite No.1: Prélude; Andantino; Caprice; Intermezzo; Requiem æternam; Marche nuptiale

Suite No.2: Lamento; Sicilienne; Hymne au soleil; Feux follets; Clair de lune; Toccata

Suite No.3: Dédicace; Impromptu; Étoile du soir; Fantômes; Sur le Rhin; Carillon de Westminster

Suite No.4: Aubade; Résignation; Cathédrales; Naïades; Gargouilles et Chimères;Les Cloches de Hinckley

Variations Serieuses

Reviews

his articulation is always agile and clear, his sense of both meter and rhythm well grounded, and his tempos nicely judged

James A. Altena (Fanfare Magazine)

Daniel Bruun […] plays wonderfully, with great feeling and care

Mats Larsson (Orgelforum)

… the combination of performer, church room and instrument is virtually a unity on this recording

Øystein Jæger (Norsk Kirkemusikk)

there is a beguiling intimacy to these performances enhanced by some beautifully understated playing

Rupert Gough (Choir & Organ)

This release must arouse great enthusiasm for anyone with an interest in organ music

Peter Dürrfeld (Kristeligt Dagblad)

… in Naïades, Bruun displays impressive pianistic technique and stamina

Sven Atle Johannesen (Orgelspeilet)

Variations Sérieuses

All the works on this recording have a conspicuous relation with both the german piano and organ literature of the mid-1800s. The CD begins with Liszt's "Prelude & Fugue on B-A-C-H", which is also available in a piano version. Schumann composed six charming pieces in 1845 for the now forgotten pedal grand piano, which works very well on the organ. The famous piano piece "Variations sérieuses" by Mendelssohn is played here in a version for the organ. Julius Reubke's magnificent sonata for the organ on the 94th Psalm concludes the CD. Reubke was one of Liszt's most talented students, who unfortunately died at 24.

Helleruplund Church's organ, built in 2015 by Carsten Lund, is with its 43 romantic stops incredibly well suited to this particular repertoire.

Variations Serieuses

Reviews

… a talented organist in his own right with a great musicality and delightful virtuosity.

Birgitte Ebert (Orglet)

… the end of the Reubke is especially thrilling

Peter J. Rabinowitz (Fanfare Magazine)

… his playing is consistently brilliant and technically splendid with fabulous control

Nils Larsson (Orgelforum)

Daniel Bruun's love of playing and enthusiasm for the music is evident from start to finish

Sven Atle Johannesen (Orgelspeilet)

Bruun has an organic feel for tempo and timing

Øystein Jæger (Norsk Kirkemusikk)

Daniel Bruun shows his depth and maturity of playing in a blaze of virtuosity

Detmar Huchting (Klassik Heute)

Clavier-Übung III

During 2013-2014, Daniel Bruun published a series of videos on YouTube with Clavier-Übung III by Johann Sebastian Bach, recorded on the historic-style organ in Copenhagen's Garnisons Church.

Daniel Bruun Playing The Organ

Video

French Impressions

Daniel Bruun has on his debut CD, French Impressions, recorded some of the most beautiful and atmospheric French organ music from the 20th century.

The CD is recorded on the magnificent organ of Aarhus Cathedral, which is known from numerous recordings. With its 89 stops, the organ built by Frobenius in 1928, is the largest church organ in Denmark.

Ermend Bonnal’s Paysage Euskariens from 1930 initiates the CD with three evocative musical landscapes set in the French Basque Country. Each of the pieces displays all the gorgeous colours of the Frobenius organ and describes all the distinctive details of the Basque Country.

The impressionistic Pastorale for organ written in 1909 by Jean Roger-Ducasse is very seldom performed due to the high demands of a virtuous technique from the performer. It is, however, a masterpiece of the early 20th century organ repertoire.

After the grotesque and exciting Scherzo from Louis Vierne’s 6. Symphony (Louis Vierne was organist in Notre-Dame de Paris 1900-1937) follows a transcription of one of Pierre Cochereau’s improvisations. Cochereau, Viernes successor in Notre-Dame de Paris, was “a phenomenon without equal in the history of the contemporary organ” as described by Marcel Dupré.

To complete his tribute to the French 20th century organ music, Daniel Bruun plays Duruflé’s Suite, which includes the famous and brilliant toccata in b-minor.

French Impressions

Reviews

Virtuosity, sensitivity and technical facility blend the brush-strokes into a whole painting.

Hannah Parry-Ridout (MusicWeb International)

He is a fine musician and a skilled player whose performances are distinguished for their intelligence, stylistic understanding, elegance, technical mastery, brilliance, and communicative power.

Jim Hildreth (The American Organist Magazine)

In his first recording, Daniel Bruun presents a superior virtuoso performance with an intense rhythm and a convincing musical overview.

Thomas Viggo Pedersen (Orglet)

Ducasse's spacious and sprawling Pastorale (his only organ work) demonstrates a thorough understanding of the instrument.

Michael Bell (Organists' Review)

Ducasse’s Pastorale (1909) shows off Daniel Bruun’s musical phrasing and lightness of touch.

Matthew Power (Choir & Organ)

It is extremely rewarding to listen to this successful compilation of highly romantic pieces of French organ music.

Michael B. Weiß (Klassik Heute)

A masterful organ-cd […] Yes, this disc is a particularly good one and should be found in every organ enthusiast’s music shelf.

Trond Erikson (Den Klassiske cd-bloggen)

Bruun is remarkable for his stupendous technique and virtuosity, but he never lets this overshadow the music

Ingo Hoesch (Orgel Information)

Bruun's ability to have a natural dynamic progression is impressive […] Bruun is superb and plays fast, almost bordering on the impossible […] And in the final [Duruflé] toccata he let himself loose and gives us a dazzling and fascinating interpretation that you have to applaud.

Sven Atle Johannesen (Orgelspeilet)

Virtuosity and poetic organ playing go hand in hand with Bruun […] Bruun proves that he delivers a technically perfect performance […] the [Duruflé] Toccata is expertly played!

Albert van der Hoeven (Orgelnieuws)
© 2024 Daniel Bruun

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