Halgeir Schiager - Gustav Merkel Organ Works, Vol. 4 (2012)

With the fourth release in the series with Gustav Merkel's organ works, Halgeir Schiager completes his major project with the German composer. Thus, the most important parts of his impressive list are available for the first time.

This release contains the last three organ songs Merkel wrote, the last just weeks before he died. We also find an interesting example of music aimed specifically at the British market in Christmas March, where Merkel cites Adeste fideles.

Merkel's organ works can be divided into free and ecclesiastical works. Among free works, there is particular reason to emphasize his nine sonatas, five fantasies, works of variation, pastorals and works of different titles. With Viennese classic examples, the sonatas and fantasies are usually three-rate, with the order of the rate fast - slow - fast. The introductory rates follow
usually the sonata rate form, with a classic theme dualism. The intermediate rates are inspired
of contemporary lyrical piano pieces exemplified in Mendelssohn's Lieder ohne Worte. The closing rates consist of joints, often with an introduction up front. Ecclesiastical works consist of coral prints and numerous small pieces for worship purposes. He also wrote an organ school that was widely used.