RICHARD STÖHR (1874-1967): Suite for Organ and Violin, Op. 102, 5 Intermezzi for Piano and Organ, Op. 35, Organ Sonata in D Minor, Op. 33.

Description: Like Korngold, Toch, Schoenberg, Zeisl and Zemlinsky, Stöhr was one of many Austrian composers driven into American exile by the Nazis. His output for organ is not extensive, but its quality is high: the instrument plays an important role in a number of Stöhr’s orchestral works, and here Stöhr presents the organ in two thoroughly attractive duos and an imposing solo sonata. The Sonata and Intermezzi sit downstream from Brahms in the tradition of Viennese classicism; the chromatic touches in the later Suite lean towards the language of Korngold. Anna-Leena Haikola (violin), Annikka Konttori-Gustafsson (piano), Jan Lehtola (organ).