G. Rost (organ) with Bamberger Symphoniker, conducted by G. Feltz - Petr Eben: Symphonia Gregoriana (2010) [SACD]

Eben’s Organ Concerto No.1 (subtitled “Symphonia Gregoriana” because of the use of Gregorian chant as a model for much of the material) is a 57 minute tour-de-force written by a 24-year old composition student as his diploma piece. It is a remarkable undertaking. Eben himself said his musical inspiration came from Bruckner and Mahler although, other than the length, I don’t hear any particularly strong connections to either of those composers. Though written in 1954, the ethos is more akin to the late romantics of the 1890’s – firmly tonal with rich harmonization and some chromaticism as an occasional spice. Despite the organ concerto appellation, the piece is more akin to a symphony with organ obbligato. Indeed, the organ is rarely absent from the musical texture...
...Sonically, this recording is excellent (stereo tracks). Recorded in the Bamberg concert hall over a three day span in April, 2009 and engineered by Dietmar Foth and Brend Stoll, it captures the sound of a large orchestra with organ very realistically. This is no easy task. The low end foundation is especially realistic, capturing both the organ peddles and the double basses as well as low end percussion with proper balance and heft. Orchestral detail is excellent and one never loses the organ even when things get rowdy. This is one of the best examples of organ and orchestra that I’ve heard on disc. Booklet notes are extensive and include several musical examples. They mention that Eben composed a second organ concerto in 1982 (which conflicts with the Wiki citation of 1988). It would be great to have that work recorded perhaps coupled with his 1960 piano concerto. In the meantime, enjoy this excellent recording!