Oskar Merikanto (1868 - 1924)

Complete Works for Organ


Jan Lehtola - organ


Recorded in: The historical Walcker Organ (1916) in Doesburg, The Netherlands


Very interesting integral from an almost unknown Finnish author. Meeting half-way between symphonic organ and religious service music, the sounding is often close to the classical one of C.M. Widor, specially in two pieces, "Fantasia and Chorale - Finland in Morning" - ( one little registration mistake, but not so visible), (track 6) and "Postlude in F major" (track 7) revealing both the acquaintance with Widor.
Good interpretation by John Lehtola, nice registration, and clear sounding makes this interpretation of the not so well known author, in the wave of great masters of symphonic organ.
Wedding hymn (track 1) will leads new couples to a bright and lasting sortie after service, different at last, from the Mendelssohn's one.
Although, slow rhythm in the interpretation of the Passacaglia leads threw an intimate climate of expression a bit far from the "style" of the basic repetitive scheme of the piece. Curious am I figuring the interpreter taking example from Rosalinde Haas in Reger's "Introduction and Passacaglia" in F minor op 63 as a model of intensity and rhythm, despite the fact Merikanto was far away from Reger's deep style. At least, it was a good try.
The organ selected for this CD is the large electropneumatic E.F. Walcker & Co. instrument of more than 75 stops, originally built for the Niuwe Zuiderkerk of Rotterdam in 1914. Following the deconsecration of this church, the instrument was moved to the Martinikerk Reformed Church of Doesburg in 1970. The recorded sound is exceptional, capturing the imposing power of this organ and its superb acoustic setting.


01. Wedding Hymn
02. Sarabande in D minor
03. Postlude in D major, Op. 88/2
04. Evening Song
05. Postlude in E flat major, Op. 88/1
06. Fantasia and Chorale 'Finland In Mourning' ("Suomi surussa")
07. Postlude in F major, Op. 88/3
08. Sarabande in E minor
09. Concert Fantasia
10. Rukous (Prayer)
11. Passacaglia, Op. 80

Total Time: 66'27