Stereo

Built in 1910 by the Link brothers and completely restored by Thomas Gaida in 2014, the organ in Ulm’s Pauluskirche is considered by experts to be one of the most powerful romantic instruments in the world. The US composer and organist Carson Cooman (b. 1982) also appreciates the “Link-Gaida” so much that he presents what is probably his last physical compact disc that he presents as an interpreter – the medium hardly has one left, especially in the USA Market – to be definitely recorded in the Pauluskirche.

Cooman played the works that can be heard on the CD at an organ recital in Ulm last year and also recorded them on the occasion. The result is overwhelming, for several reasons. First of all, the instrument’s sound is simply inspiring, which is certainly also due to the fact that the experienced organist Cooman plays according to all the rules of the art of registration.

Above all, however, the works themselves are what the CD title “Companions – Contemporary Organ Music” promises: accessible contemporary organ music by international contemporary composers – Carlotta Ferrari, Thomas Åberg, David Lasky, Tate Pumfrey, Phil Lehenbauer, Michael Calabris – all of whom Carson Cooman counts among his companions. Cooman’s short original ‘Recitative’ is a homage to the colossal ‘Flauto mirabilis’ register and dedicated to its creator, the organ builder Thomas Gaida. The nine tracks by the artists mentioned, each lasting between two and ten minutes, form the first part of the album. To top it all off, his grandiose world premiere recording of Bernard Heyes’ half-hour long ‘Organ Symphony No. 15’ in which (also) the Link-Gauda is in top form.

Music 5 stars: Sound 4½ stars

—Burkhard Schäfer