The organ works of Axel Ruoff, born in Stuttgart in 1957, constitute one of the most important contributions to the literature for the instrument by any composer since Messiaen, with Ruoff often using its unparalleled resources to write music of extraordinary power and dramatic flair. This fourth volume in Jan Lehtola’s complete recording presents three large-scale compositions: a set of chorale variations, a sardonic suite and a monumental organ symphony, all displaying the wild sweep of Ruoff’s imagination.
Introduction, Variations and Fugue on the chorale
1 Introduction, Grave -
2 Variation 1, Andante tranquillo -
3 Variation 2, Lento assai -
4 Variation 3, Scherzando -
5 Variation 4, Vivace con fuoco -
6 Variation 5, Presto agitato -
7 Variation 6, Maestoso -
8 Variation 7, Misterioso -
9 Variation 8, Moderato, molto marcato -
10 Variation 9, Pastorale, Lento assai, dolcissimo -
11 Variation 10, Allegro precipitando -
12 Variation 11, Moderato -
13 Variation 12, Allegro molto -
14 Variation 13, Presto con fuoco – Prestissimo -
15 Fugue, Lento – Più mosso, misterioso – Allegro – A
16 I Prélude, Prestissimo
17 II Danse champêtre, Agiatamente; farsesco
18 III Nocturne, Lento strascinando
19 IV Marche héroïque, Alla marcia, malizioso
20 V Finale: Allegro con fuoco; molto marcato
21 I Grave – Lento assai, tristamente – Grave – Lento
22 II Prestissimo – Grave
23 III Adagietto –
24 IV Toccata: Allegro precipitando
