Franz Raml - Krebs: Complete Works for Organ and Instrument Obbligato (2000)

Though other Baroque composers had written chorale arrangements for organ in which the cantus firmus was assigned to a solo wind instrument, the idea of writing a Fantasia for the same combination seems to have originated with Johann Krebs. His soulful, eloquent Fantasia in F minor for oboe and organ was celebrated in its day, and when you hear it on this engaging recording, you can well understand why. Though the fantasias are the more intricate works, the chorales with wind obbligato are admirable for their contrapuntal inventiveness and for the various ways in which the composer chooses to set the familiar tunes. The 13 chorales for solo organ that form the ClavierÜbung can be appreciated for the same qualities and admired in these readings for the adroit, clever, and appropriate registrations used by organist Franz Raml. Whether used in a dulcet manner, as in the chorales featuring solo horn or flute, or blasting forth in full regal splendor in “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” for trumpet and organ, the historic Gabler organ in Weingarten is an instrument worth hearing. That also goes for the wind soloists of the Hassler Consort, who play with sure technique and gorgeous tone. MDG has made it possible to hear everything in detail by recording it in the most natural you-are-there sound. With this quality release, even the liner notes are thorough and deserve special mention. As usual with MDG, the registration used for each individual composition is given in an elaborate 3-page appendix.