Willibald Guggenmos, Organ

Works by Widor, Vogt, Stehle, Faulkes, Tirro, Garbizu, Rogg, Hovland, Messiaen and Dupré

The main organ of the St. Gallen Cathedral (Switzerland) was built in 1968 and has since delighted numerous concertgoers and churchgoers. The exquisitely selected program of this recording bears witness to its outstanding tonal qualities. The following composition merit special attention: "Fantaisie-Orage" by Swiss cathedral organist Jacques Vogt. The version recorded here was reconstructed by Paul Haas based on handwritten fragments. In this fantasy, already the beginning captures the listener with its beautiful echo passages. After the presentation of several popular Swiss folk songs, a gloomy storm starts brewing, culminating in a passage reminiscent of Beethoven. According to the performance instructions, the organ is to be played with the entire palm of the hand and the elbow in order to imitate the storm and the lightning strikes as closely as possible. After the storm, the rural population gratefully joins in with the hymn "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name".

International reviews attested cathedral organist Willibald Guggenmos "fantastic technique and dazzling musicianship" (Bernhard Holland – New York Times). His enormous repertoire includes the complete works of Bach, Franck, Liszt, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Boöllmann, Stehle, Duruflé and the great works of Max Reger. For television and broadcasting, he did several recordings in many countries. Highlights of his CD recordings took place at the largest organ in Switzerland (Engelberg), the famous Cavaille Coll Organ at Azcoitia (Spain) and the legendary famous “Hill-Organ” at Sydney Town Hall (Australia).

Willibald Guggenmos, cathedral organist (extract of the booklet text)

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