Great European Organs No.50: Hans Otto Jakob Plays The Klais Organ of Frankfurt Imperial Cathedral

Joy Division is one of the definitive bands from the rock culture. With their dark poetic inception and a sound marked by a new way of thinking about how music should be created, the Manchester band served as a model for countless artists. Today, just as it marks 35 years of the death of Ian Curtis (the legendary singer and lyricist of the group) The Many Faces Of Joy Division shows the hidden world behind the group, their rare recordings, side projects, their influences and the Manchester scene where the band bloomed. With a wonderful cover art, remastered sound and extensive liner notes, The Many Faces of Joy Division is an album not only for fans but for anyone who wants to understand the influence (and enjoy the music) of a truly transcendent bad, which made beauty out of sadness.

Part of Capriccio’s “Famous European Organs” series, this CD presents music from the Baroque and Classic periods, played with flair and sensitivity on the Riepp organs of the Benedictine abbey of Ottobeuren. These are modest instruments, yet capable of making quite a formidable sound when the right stops are pulled, as in the raucous Battaglia by Johann Kerll. Most listeners, however, will be more enchanted with the many dulcet sound combinations exhibited here. Consider the lovely flutes at the beginning of Haydn’s Aus der Flötenuhr or the charming combination of Copel 8′ coupled with Doublet 2′ in the opening movement of the Franz Schnizer Sonate.

Roger Sayer is at the forefront of British choral and organ music, recognised both as a prize-winning organist, and as an acclaimed Choral Director with some of the UK 's finest choirs. Sayer has even performed as the organ soloist in Hans Zimmer's Oscar-nominated score for the film Interstellar. Mozart called the organ the ""King of Instruments"", and this release certainly showcases its majestic qualities. Mendelssohn's Organ Sonata No.1 was inspired by Bach, and exudes an air of gravitas and profundity whilst enjoying the organ's variety of sonorities. Bach also influenced 20th-century composers Sigfrid Karg-Elert and Max Reger, both of whom followed in Bach's footsteps by moving to Leipzig. Karg-Elert's Symphonic Chorale is based on Jesu meine Freude by Johann Cruger, and on the notes BACH (B flat, A, C and B natural), while Reger's chorale-based Fantasia is a work of great virtuosity. The collection ends with a memorable sonata by Liszt-pupil Julius Reubke.

A collection of musical gems by great contemporary composers of the minimalist and postminimalist trend. Music of Steve Reich (Vermont Counterpoint, New York Counterpoint - first recording of the saxophone version), Arvo Pärt (Pari Intervallo), Hans Otte (Eins), Ludovico Einaudi (Quattro Passi), Henryk Mikołaj Górecki (For you Ann Lill, Op.58), skilfully interpreted by Andrea Ceccomori and Goffredo Degli Esposti on the flutes, Paul Wehage on the saxophones, Cecilia Chailly on harp and Fabrizio Ottaviucci on piano.

THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, the fantastic metal quartet formed by members of Feuerschwanz, Amaranthe and Ad Infinitum, love to explore unseen lands and dive into the adventures of worldwide heroic characters. Sharing their stories with a dedicated fanbase, they now announce their debut album, Metamorphosis, out May 12, 2023 via Napalm Records. With this album, the unit around Ad Infinitum vocal queen Melissa Bonny and Feuerschwanz guitar virtuoso Hans Platz dip their soundscapes into mystical worlds, reinterpreting famous soundtrack themes and writing their own songs dedicated to their favorite characters.