FELIX HELL
Felix Hell plays the Schoenstein organ at First-Plymouth Congregational Church, UCC, Lincoln, Nebraska
RR-101CD
[HDCD]
Very little escapes the notice of the Internet, and it was through that medium, in November of 1999, that I first began to hear about Felix Hell, a young man of 14 who was beginning to create a stir amongst organ recital audiences throughout the country. I was soon to have an opportunity to hear for myself, as he was playing a recital in a town quite near me. Within moments of the program's beginning, I realized I was not hearing a 14-year-old organist, not a young organist, but rather just an organist, a musician of considerable skill and understanding. The first piece was a Buxtehude Prelude in D Major, and in an internet review after the concert, I wrote that “the playing was beautifully controlled, accurate, and sensitive, with registrations of interest and clarity.” This high level of performance continued undiminished throughout the program, which included the Bach “Little&3148; G Minor Fugue and the Mendelssohn First Sonata in F Minor. I met Felix briefly after the concert, not knowing quite what to expect - perhaps a seriously swollen ego, perhaps an artistic introvert. I found neither of the above, but a friendly and cheerful young man, having a great time playing the instrument he loves, and bringing that love to others.
- Malcolm Wechsler
|
1-3 GUILMANT: Sonata No. 1 in D minor 24:41 1 Introduction and Allegro 8:52 2 Pastorale 8:23 3 Final 7:25 4 RHE1NBERGER: Abendfriede 4:08 5 VIERNE: Symphony No. 1 - Final 5:40 6-7 LISZT: Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H 12:17 6 Prelude 4:05 7 Fugue 8:11 8-17 LISZT: Fantasy and Fugue on “Ad nos, ad salutarem undam” 28:24 8 Moderate 9 Marziate 10 Recitative 11 Adagio 12 Andante 13 Un poco piu di moto 14 Adagio 15 Allegro 16 Fugue 17 Vivace Total Time: 75:16 |
Reference Recordings are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading