“one of the organ world’s finest recording artists”

From Priory’s GREAT EUROPEAN ORGANS SERIES

No. 8: Graham Barber plays the Klais Organ of Ingolstadt Minster – Priory PRCD 260 (1985 and 1988) Dupré Choral and Fugue, Op.57; from Sept Pièces, Op.27: Souvénir, Carillon, Légende, Final; Demessieux Choral Preludes on Gregorian Chant Themes (selection)

“One of the truly ‘great’ organs in the series is that at Ingolstadt Minster. These verge on being ‘great’ performances too from one of the organ world’s finest recording artists, Graham Barber, and it is good that what was originally a magnificent LP has turned out an outstanding (not to say ‘great’) CD. This sumptuous instrument, the sheer brilliance of Barber’s playing, and an imaginative programme of Demessieux and Dupré are all captured in a splendidly engineered recording.”  (Gramophone, May 1989)

No. 25: Graham Barber plays the Harrison and Harrison organ of Coventry Cathedral – Priory PRCD 373 (1991) Karg-Elert Symphony in F sharp minor, Op.143; Jackson Third Sonata, Op.50; Sowerby Pageant of Autumn

“…This is a programme which depends very heavily on delicate colours and clarity of detail and I, for one, would be hard-pushed to suggest a more suitable instrument or a better player…Barber’s intense musical playing and complete technical mastery give us a performance of unquestionable authority and conviction…Barber’s wonderfully agile and precise fingerwork and his handling of the timing and complexities of the score are an object lesson in making the difficult sound easy.”  (Gramophone, March 1992)

No. 30: Graham Barber plays the Klais Organ of Altenberg Cathedral , Priory PRCD 315 (Reger Chorale Fantasy “Wie schön leucht’ uns der Morgenstern, Op.40, No.1; J.S.Bach Sonata No.5 in C major, BWV 529; Karg-Elert Stimmen der Nacht, Op.142, No.1; Karg-Elert (first recordings) Funerale, and Chorale Improvisations on In Dulci JubiloDer Hölle Pforten ist zerstört and Gelobt sei Gott im höchsten Thron, Op.75, Nos 1- 4)

“If any doubt could ever be voiced about Graham Barber’s plentiful musicianship and virtuosity, this disc should silence the critic for ever. The very lucidity, crystalline clarity, forward momentum and powerful command of Barber’s Reger match any competition – that’s a promise. But Graham Barber adds a lavish measure of contrast in this program, including the quiet impressions of Karg-Elert…”  (American Organist, February 1995)

No. 46: Graham Barber plays the Christian Müller Organ of the Jacobijnerkirche, Leeuwarden, Holland – Priory PRCD 520 (1999): J.S.Bach Fantasia and Fugue in A minor, BWV 904; A.van Noordt Psalm 24; Georg Böhm Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dirFreu dich sehr, o meine SeelePrelude, Fugue and Postlude; D.Buxtehude Canzonetta in G major, BuxWV 172Ciacona in E minor, BuxWV 160Praeludium in E, BuxWV 142; J.C.Altnikol Ricercar in C major;Sei Lob und Her dem höchsten GutGelobet Seist du, Jesu Christ; J.L.Krebs Toccata and Fugue in A minor

“The older brother (by ten years) of the famous Müller at St. Bavo, Harlaam…boasts many distinctive qualities…Graham Barber guides us through these…in precise, immaculately tailored performances. I find myself time and again referring to the registration details painstakingly mapped out in the booklet against the sumptuous sounds Barber reveals: my personal favourite is the delightful registration crowned by the Vox Humana (for Böhm’s Aus tiefer Not) which sounds for all the world like the purring of a contented cat…”  (Gramophone, August 1998)

Graham Barber’s recording of the music of HERBERT HOWELLS

The Organ Music of Herbert Howells (Volume 2): Graham Barber plays the Organ of Hereford Cathedral – Priory PRCD 524 (1996) Sonata for Organ (1933); Six Pieces for Organ (1940-5): Preludio “Sine Nomine”Saraband (For the morning of Easter)Master Tallis’ Testament; Fugue, Chorale and EpilogueSaraband (In Modo Elegiaco); Paean

“Graham Barber’s affinity for Howells is immediately apparent in his persuasive playing. He illuminates the rather dense textures of the 1933 Sonata … the final movement being particularly exciting…In [the Six Pieces] the glorious Hereford organ really comes into its own…this is exploited with great musicianship by Graham Barber in a record of Howells the equal of which you will not have heard before.”  (Organists’ Review, February 1997)

Graham Barber’s recording of The COMPLETE ORGAN WORKS OF PERCY WHITLOCK

Volume 2: Graham Barber plays the Organ of Hereford Cathedral – Priory PRCD 525 (1996) (arr.Riley) March: Dignity and ImpudenceSeven Sketches on Verses from the PsalmsFantasie Choral No.1 in D flat majorReflections: Three Quiet PiecesFantasie Choral No.2 in F sharp minor

“…Graham Barber plays with utter commitment and an ear for nicely-shaded colour. His underlying sense of rhythm ensures that Whitlock’s essential pulse is never lost beneath expressive phrasing…A better organ or acoustic for this music would be hard to imagine, and with Graham Barber no-one could wish for a finer advocate…”  (Organists’ Review, February 1998)

Graham Barber’s recent recording for HYPERION

JERUSALEM ON HIGH Victorian Voluntaries and Concert Pieces based on hymns, chorales and psalm-tunes – Hyperion CDA 67356 (2003): F.Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (arr. W.T.Best) Overture to the Oratorio ‘St Paul’; E.SilasFantasia on St.Ann’s Hymn, Op.93; G.A.Macfarren Variations on the Psalm Tune ‘Windsor’; O.King Prelude for Lent, Op 10 No 2; William Spark The Ancient Vesper Hymn (Theme, Variations and Fugue); C.Steggall Postlude (‘Jerusalem on High’); C.W.Pearce Creator of the Starry Height Op 25 No 1Corde natus ex parentis (Of the Father sole begotten), a Symphonic Poem, Op.27

“a worthy celebration of the British organ tradition … rich, clear recordings”  (Gramophone, 2004)


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