Part of Capriccio’s “Famous European Organs” series, this CD presents music from the Baroque and Classic periods, played with flair and sensitivity on the Riepp organs of the Benedictine abbey of Ottobeuren. These are modest instruments, yet capable of making quite a formidable sound when the right stops are pulled, as in the raucous Battaglia by Johann Kerll. Most listeners, however, will be more enchanted with the many dulcet sound combinations exhibited here. Consider the lovely flutes at the beginning of Haydn’s Aus der Flötenuhr or the charming combination of Copel 8′ coupled with Doublet 2′ in the opening movement of the Franz Schnizer Sonate.

The combination of organ and violin dates back to the Baroque era. Many of the sonatas for violin and basso continuo can be performed on the organ just as well or even more colorfully than on the harpsichord. Henri Marteau builds entirely on this tradition with his Fantasy for organ and violin op. 27, recorded here for the first time. The violin virtuoso and pedagogue, celebrated worldwide, was also a very prolific composer and, in addition to chamber music, wrote two violin concertos, a cello concerto, a symphony, an opera and several organ works, for which he was inspired by the soft romantic registers of the pneumatic organ of the time in his adopted home of Lichtenberg in Upper Franconia let.