500 Years of Organ Music

In this extensive 50-disc set, Brilliant Classics presents 500 years of organ music. The pieces presented here offer a survey of diversity, value, and historical importance. The first portion of the set is devoted to pieces from the early period. Groundbreaking organ composers such as Cavazzoni and De Macque, who developed the capriccio and canzon forms and composed complex counterparts to the periods vocal music, are featured here. The Baroque and Classical eras are represented in this set by the likes of powerhouse composers Mozart, J.S. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, Handel, Telemann, and Haydn. Alongside these monumental names, however, are several undiscovered artists, such as Padre Davide da Bergamo, who despite his ambiguity, composed over 2,000 organ pieces. At the pinnacle of the organs development is the Romantic period, when technical advances brought many new features to the instruments. French organ builder Cavaille-Coll made huge advances in the instrument by adding a swell box and a pneumatic assist. One of his beautiful organs is featured on this release. Wrapping up the selections in this set are 20th century works. Concluding the set is Arvo Parts illustrious composition Spiegel im Spiegel, performed on the Grand Organ of Leeds Cathedral. This set features many kinds of organs, each corresponding to the repertoire being performed. The performers featured here are all outstanding in their field and have gained high acclaim for their previous releases with Brilliant Classics.