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Format: Digital Audio CD
Label: PRO ORGANO
Catalog Number: CD 7005
Length: 70′ 53″
Tracks: 9
Organ: Roosevelt – Schantz
Venue: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, New York, USA
Recorded: 08/01/1985
Released: 12/01/1985
Producer: Frederick Hohman
Notes Author: Robert Benjamin Dobey
Notes Language: English
Graphics Format: 8pp book, traycard, jewel box
UPC #: 636077700521
This album is available digitally by streaming or download at these providers:
APPLE MUSIC
SPOTIFY
NAXOS MUSIC LIBRARY
(One must be subscribed and logged-in at Naxos Music Library to access the Naxos link.)
Organists’ Review “The playing really gets inside Howells, in all his moods.” – Paul Hale
The American Organist “The playing is full of temperament to match the music, the recorded sound is excellent… How well Dobey does by Howells!“ – October 1989
The American Record Guide “Dobey’s performance is note-perfect – which, coupled with a nicely balanced instrument with plenty of foundation power and warm string stops, makes this collection most admirable. Engineering is excellent. Specifications and very brief liner notes are included.” – Metz
The Gramophone “I don’t recall having heard so compelling and coherent an account of this complex work as Robert Benjamin Dobey’s… In this (the Sonata) and the Six Pieces, Dobey shows a keen appreciation of the composer’s intentions but he sheds on them an altogether new and flattering light. … one hearing of this revelatory disc should convert most skeptics.” – Marc Rochester
The Tracker “Unusual repertory combined with a high quality performance make this new release a worthy choice for the personal libraries of all … It (The Sonata) proves organist Robert Benjamin Dobey to be an unusually gifted performer. … a superior new recording of some of his (Howells) organ music. It deserves a hearty recommendation.” Vol 31 No 2 – Stephen F. Pinel
The Tracker “Here is a superior new recording of some of his organ music. It deserves a hearty recommendation.” – Stephen L. Pinel
Pro Organo CD 7005
Herbert Howells & the Organ: the 30s & 40s
01 • The Sonata (1933) – Vivo, energico ed agitato • Herbert Howells • 12’47”
02 • The Sonata (1933) – Quasi lento, tranquillo • Herbert Howells • 9’49”
03 • The Sonata (1933) – Allegro assai • Herbert Howells • 9’22”
04 • Six Pieces for Organ (1940-1945) – 1. Preludio “Sine Nomine” • Herbert Howells • 5’45”
05 • Six Pieces for Organ (1940-1945) – 2. Saraband (For the morning of Easter) • Herbert Howells • 4’53”
06 • Six Pieces for Organ (1940-1945) – 3. Master Tallis’s Testament • Herbert Howells • 5’43”
07 • Six Pieces for Organ (1940-1945) – 4. Fugue, Chorale and Epilogue • Herbert Howells • 12’17”
08 • Six Pieces for Organ (1940-1945) – 5. Saraband (In Modo Elegiaco) • Herbert Howells • 3’55”
09 • Six Pieces for Organ (1940-1945) – 6. Paean • Herbert Howells • 6’24”
Robert Benjamin Dobey’s study of the music of Max Reger dates back to 1972, when, after graduating from Oberlin Conservatory, he spent a year studying with the important Reger interpreter Michael Schneider in Cologne, Germany. His career has been filled with diverse musical activities as a singer, pianist, harpsichordist, and composer, his interests ranging from early music to premiere performances of new works. After his year in Germany on a Fulbright grant, his musical education continued at the Eastman School of Music. His organ teachers have included Marian Thomas, Garth Peacock, Michael Schneider and David Craighead. Active for many years in the Washington, D.C. area, he served there as keyboard artist with the Washington Bach Consort, Assistant Director of the Cathedral Choral Society, and a singer with the Woodley Ensemble. He also spent two years singing in the choir of Wells Cathedral in England. He presently serves as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where his hobbies include devising ever more impractical schemes for landscaping his garden, and hosting visits from his many lunatic relatives.
