Axel RUOFF: Works for Organ, Volume One
The organ works of Axel Ruoff, born in Stuttgart in 1957, constitute one of the most important contributions to the literature for the instrument by any composer since Messiaen. Stylistically, his music unites the French cathedral tradition of composers like Langlais, Dupré and Guillou with the concern with counterpoint and logic heard in Reger and later German figures. Like Messiaen, Ruoff often finds stimulus in religious sources; unlike him, it is biblical narrative that inspires many of Ruoff’s works, and he uses the unparalleled resources of the modern symphonic organ in his response to some of the most dramatic scenes in the Old Testament, writing music of freewheeling energy and uncompromising power.
Jan Lehtola, organ of Turku Cathedral
Listen To This Recording:
-
Sacrum (2018)
- Toccata VI
- No. 1 Präludium
- No. 2 Choral
- No. 3 Capriccio
- No. 4 Intermezzo
- No. 5 Romanze
- No. 6 Interludium
- No. 7 Bagatelle
- No. 8 Scherzo
- No. 9 Postludium
- Morgengesang – Toccata V
- No. 1 Sehr rasch, scharf artikuliert
- No. 2 Allegro assai
- No. 3 Presto
- Toccata IV
- Sinfonische Fragmente
- Via Dolorosa
- Toccata II
Neun leichte Stücke (2013)*
Morgengesang – Toccata V (2010)
Drei phantastische Tänze (2004–5)
Erhebt euch, Pforten der Weltzeit (2007)
Wie liegt die Stadt so verlassen (2007)*
Via Dolorosa (1985)
Schalen des Zorns (1995)
Fanfare :
‘His style is full of dissonant tone clusters, rhythmic ostinati of alternating duple and triple rhythms, and a driven, almost manic energy coupled with an uncompromising power in its use of the full resources of the symphonic organ. I found it emotional, intense, logical, and wholly original in its conception and use of the organ. […]
Lehtola has made several recordings of unknown or forgotten composers for the organ, making convincing arguments for them, owing in large part to his virtuosic, musical, and committed playing. This recording is particularly impressive: the technical demands of this music are high and he makes it sound easy. The marvelous 4-manual, 82 stop 1980 Veikko Virtanen organ is in Turku Cathedral, Finland. Extensive notes on the composer and music with specifications. If you have a taste for avant-garde organ music, give this a try.’
&mdas;Delcamp, Fanfare