Josef Rheinberger - Organ Concerto No. 1, Op. 137 (1884)

Josef Gabriel Rheinberger (17 March 1839, in Vaduz – 25 November 1901, in Munich) was an organist and composer, born in Liechtenstein and resident for most of his life in Germany.

Organ Concerto No. 1 in F major, Op. 137 (1884)

1. Maestoso
2. Andante
3. Finale. Con moto

Michael Murray, organ and the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Jahja Ling

Description by James Reel [-]
The first and better-known of Rheinberger's two organ concertos, though not derivative, reveals the strong influence of both Felix Mendelssohn (including his interest in Baroque music) and, mainly in structural details, César Franck. This concerto is by no means an overpowering display piece; the soloist is afforded few truly virtuosic passages in the company of a warm but modest ensemble of strings and three horns. With a Romantic organ on hand, Rheinberger apparently felt that most of the woodwind and brass colors were already accounted for. The first movement, Moderato, begins with three stately, ascending notes that will recur in later movements, sometimes as the foundation of completely new melodies. This, with Rheinberger's fondness for thematic metamorphosis instead of more conventional development and variation patterns, links the concerto to the cyclic practices of Franck. In sound, though, this first movement has more in common with Mendelssohn, particularly the nobler passages of his second, third, and fifth symphonies.