Chicago based keyboard artist David Schrader performs 20th and 21st century solo organ works by Frank Ferko (b. 1950) and Leo Sowerby (1895–1968), prolific composers strongly associated with the city of Chicago. Organ Music by Frank Ferko & Leo Sowerby is a two-CD set, released via Cedille Record, with a 24-page program booklet...

For lover's of organ music, Organ Music by Frank Ferko & Leo Sowerby, is a 2-disc collection of diverse pieces - from traditional classically composed pieces, to more avant-garde works. The album contains 25 tracks (2 hr, 46 min, 33 sec).

The Ferko works, all world-premiere recordings, are presented across three different mechanical-action organs at House of Hope Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, Minnesota. Schrader offers his Sowerby program on the 68-rank Wicks Opus 2918 organ at St. Ita Catholic Church, Chicago. Digital editions of the album (downloads and streams) also offer the world-premiere recording of Sowerby’s late Two Sketches, H 393, which could not be included on CD due to space limitations.

Obviously, if you're not a fan of organ music there's little for you here. Personally I loved how versatile the instrument can be. It can take you from heart-wrenching beauty to ominous and terrifying disorientation. The diversity on display here is what makes this such and engaging release.

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Darren Rea