Does an organ have a soul? Hearing this "musical organ guide" you believe in that.
Ulsin Jenrich

About this recording

Tired of these boring festschrift tradition, we decided to realize a musical guide for the then new Mathis master organ in the baroque Klosterau church. It became ahunt for records: While the interviews with organ maker Hermann Mathis had been preproduced, we had nly one week left for recording the music, editing, mastering - and finally publishing the brandnew CD on the occasion of the inauguration festivities. This klanglogo CD is the stunning document of an exciting new instrument, full of energy and freshness. Witness the magic moments of the instrument first touching the space and interacting with the acoustics.

Hear the music in the klaglogo weblounge.

Tracklist

Joy of Sound - Hermann Mathis über seinen Weg als Orgelbauer, die Kunst des Intonierens und die Magie der Stille
Dietrich Buxtehude - Praeludium, Fuge und Chacona C-Dur (BuxWV 137)
Arts and Craftmanship - Hermann Mathis über die Wichtigkeit der Planung, Sorgfalt der Materialwahl und den Luxus von Maßanfertigungen
Johann Sebastian Bach - Praeludium und Fuge C-Dur (BWV547)
Ligh and Color - Hermann Mathis über sein Klangkonzept für Klosterau, die Wechselwirkung zwischen Raum und Instrument sowie die Problematik von Rekonstruktions-Versuchen
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy - Vater unser, Sonate VI
Verwachsen mit der Tradition - Hermann Mathis über die Entwicklung des Orgelbaus, Unsicherheit der Kirchenmusik und Aufbrüche in Fernost

total time 59:38

The Artists

Hermann Mathis, organ builder
inernatioally acclaimed Swiss organ builder. Together with his crew, he produces istruments praised for their clarity and elegance of sound. The company was founded by his father; he was also Hermanns early teacher in ergan building and intonation. Among the bestknwn instruments are the Mathis organ for the Basel Munster and an organ for the Sistine Chapel. Maths has built around 300 organs worldwide and is a renowned brand in Japan and Taiwan.

Ulrich Heine, organist
his roots are in Swabian ciy of Ellwangen. There, in the baroque Schönenberg basilica wih it long pilgrimage tradition, he has learned to play the organ - and, over long years, interacting with the impressive space. In Stuttgart, he studied school and sacred music; in Tuebingen he added theology. His organ teacher Bernhard Haas has inspired and fueled his Ulrich's love for the baroque repertoire, Haas' undeviating demand for clarity and expression has had a strong impact an his approach to music. In addition of being an organist, Ulrich Heine is now a teacher and choir director in Dresden.Ulrich Heine, organ
stammt aus dem schwäbischen Ellwangen. Dort, in der barocken Wallfahrtskirche Schönenberg, verschliss er nicht nur als Orgelschüler, sondern über viele Jahre als Kirchenmusiker mehrere Orgelschuhe. An der Musikhochschule Stuttgart studierte er Schul- und Kirchenmusik, in Tübingen Theologie. Seiner Liebe zum barocken Repertoire hat vor allem Prof. Bernhard Haas mit seiner Forderung nach ausdrucksstarker Klarheit wichtige Impulse gegeben. Am Dresdener St. Benno-Gymnasium vermittelt er Schülern die Lust an der Musik, daneben wirkt er als Chor- und Scholaleiter und ist ein gefragter Konzertorganist.

Producers' notes

With this recording, we tried to somehow examine he sound of the new organ - to make it heard through a stethoscope. It was our goal to display a master instrument in its very beginning, in its youth and - if you will - virginity. Soon after its inauguration, every organ is getting accusomed to the space, the organists gain experience, the mechanical devices develop their own characteristics. It is fascinating to see and hear an instrument mature over the years. But it's like with baby photos: This recording is the documentary of the most important first moments.
Nick and Clemens Prokop