Heikki Klemetti: Organ Music
Heikki Klemetti (1876–1953) was one of the most important figures in the Finnish music of his day: author, organiser, musicologist, editor, educator, folksong collector and, above all, choral composer. His work as an organist and composer for the organ has largely been forgotten, an omission this first-ever album of his organ music seeks to correct. The influence of Ostrobothnian folksong can readily be heard, and there are obvious points of contact with the musical language of Sibelius, not least in the unemphatic dignity and nobility of the style, with the modal harmonies occasionally calling to mind another of Klemetti’s contemporaries: Vaughan Williams.
Jan Lehtola, organ of Tampere Cathedral, Finland
Listen To This Recording:
Two Organ Pieces, Op. 23 (1918-19) (8:57)
- No. 1 Prelude* (4:42)
- No. 2 Canzona (4:15)
Op. 44 (1934) (17:30)
- No. 1 Canzona (Oskar Merikanto in memoriam) (6:13)
- No. 2 Festive Overture (5:27)
- No. 3 Laetare Jerusalem (5:50)
Op. 45 (c. 1935)
- No. 3 Cantilena (5:43)
Op. 51 (13:57)
- No. 1 Toccata (1936) (2:58)
- No. 2 Impromptu (1936) (3:48)
- No. 3 Cantilena (1936) (4:18)
- No. 4 Elegia (1937) (2:53)
- Ad perennis vitae fontem (1:50)
- Prelude to Hymn No. 177, ‘O How Lovely’ (1942) (1:15)
- Lullaby for a Responsory to Announcements (2:09)
- Kleines Präludium (1911)* (1:32)
- Praeludium (1902) (1:59)
Four organ chorales
- Appeared to the Shepherds (1943) (3:44)
- Day turned to Evening (1943) (2:01)
- God is our Refuge (1936) (7:27)
- O Wondrous Wedding Hall (1943) (2:22)
- Toccata Romantica (1927) (5:23)
All Except * First Recordings
Rondo Classic :
‘Klemetti paljastuu vuosina 1902–1943 syntyneissä urkuteoksissaan pienten muotojen herkkävireiseksi taitajaksi.’
—Antti Häyrynen, Rondo Classic
Fanfare :
‘Throughout [the Two Organ Pieces], Klemetti supplies rich harmonies within his securely tonal compositional voice. In both of these works, the listener realizes that the composer knew the organ intimately, given the effective use of the full potential of the instrument. […]
The listener will be pleasantly immersed in this music. […] The disc is well worth picking up by Fanfare’s readers, especially if they are fans—as I am—of the artistry of Finnish master organist Jan Lehtola, who brings off each of these works in most skillful and persuasive fashion. Recommended accordingly.’
—David DeBoor Canfield, Fanfare, February 2025
Fanfare :
‘Lehtola gives these pieces fine advocacy on the 1907 organ of the Tampere cathedral church and is well recorded. This is a respectable […]release of attractive […] music[…].’
—James A. Altena, Fanfare
American Record Guide :
‘Another entry in the indefatigable Lehtola’s series of unknown and neglected composers for the organ. […]
As with all of Lethola’s productions, the recorded sound, organs, and his committed playing are first rate. He plays on the 3-manual, 70-stop 1929/2021 Kangasala organ in Tampere Cathedral, Finland, one of the most important and largest romantic organs preserved in its original state. The booklet contains extensive notes by the performer on the composer and music.’
—Robert Delcamp, American Record Guide