Oskar Merikanto (1868–1924) made an enormous contribution to music-making in Finland, and to organ music in particular, as teacher, virtuoso performer and authority on performance...

Oskar Merikanto (1868–1924) made an enormous contribution to music-making in Finland, and to organ music in particular, as teacher, virtuoso performer and authority on performance practice, reforming the approach to the organ in both church and concert-hall. It was thought that all of his organ music was known and recorded, but recent discoveries have added a number of previously unknown works to his catalogue: a striking concert fantasia, an early funeral march, some pedal studies, a vast series of chorale preludes – some of them beautifully crafted miniatures, others only aphoristic ideas – and an organ transcription of a piano piece by Mendelssohn.

REVIEW:

Finnish organist and composer Oskar Merikanto made significant contributions to the musical life of Finland. He initiated reforms in the approach to organ music, playing, and building in both the church and concert hall. It was thought that most of his organ music had been published, but recent discoveries have unearthed a number of pieces that remained in manuscript. This program includes 4 of them as well as a selection of the 100 Chorale Preludes Op. 59, published in 1906.

The Fantasia and Trauermarsch are substantial pieces of emotional power and originality, infused with the spirit of Max Reger. Of particular interest are the 5 Concert Etudes for pedal solo. Although they are meant to develop pedal technique, they come across not as mere technical exercises, but as character pieces much in manner of Chopin and Liszt’s etudes for piano.. The Mendelssohn is part of a collection of arrangements that Merikanto assembled in 1915 but never published. Most are under a minute long and are extremely interesting in their variety and emotional content. Organists take note.

This is another recording in Lehtola’s extensive series exploring unknown and forgotten composers. He plays on a 3-manual, 70-stop 1929/2021 Kangasala organ in Tampere Cathedral, Finland, one of the most important and largest romantic organs preserved in its original state. Extensive and informative notes by the performer on the composer and music. A fascinating recording.

— American Record Guide