David Dahl has just released a new album entitled “David Dahl in Concert.” Recorded on the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Organ in Lagerquist Hall at Pacific Lutheran University, the album features music of Alexandre Guilmant, William Russell, Hans Olav Lien, Robert Schumann, César Franck, and Louis Vierne.
The first piece, Guiltmant’s Symphony No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 42, was originally written for organ solo but later arranged for organ and orchestra by the composer. Its rebirth features organ about 80% of the time, with interesting use of tone color and interplay with the orchestra. The Pacific Lutheran University Orchestra, directed by Jerry Kracht, joins David in this impressive performance, sounding much more like an established city orchestra than student players.
Perhaps the most unusual work in this set is by a contemporary Norwegian composer–Nordlyskatedralen: “The Cathedral of the Northern Lights” by Hans Olav Lien. In his program notes, David writes that this movement from a larger work “evokes the mystery of the subtle flickering of the Northern Lights, including the occasional wild display of color.”
From Norway, David makes a brief stop in Germany for one of the six fugues composed by Robert Schumann on the letters BACH, then on to France for two virtuosic romantic works–Choral No. 3 in A Minor by César Franck and Carillon de Westminster, Op. 54, No. 6 by Louis Vierne.
This recording is a superb display of the power, versatility, and breadth of this landmark instrument–Opus 18 of the Paul Fritts Company, built in 1999. It is intended to serve as a tribute to David’s contributions to the organ world and to celebrate this majestic instrument and its builders. Both David Dahl and Paul Fritts are members of the Tacoma Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
I have made few recordings, so I am especially pleased that this one will serve as a reminder to the future that I walked this earth and played with passion. –David Dahl
This recording was produced and mastered by Roger Sherman from recordings made in 1999 and 2005. It is available for purchase ($12.98) and download from The Gothic Catalog.