JOSEPH CALLAERTS (1830-1901): Sonata No. 1 in C Minor, Symphonie pastorale*, Toccata, Op. 29, Elegie, Op. 31/10, Canzona, Op. 21/5, Scherzo, Op. 31/12, Larghetto after Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet*, Adoration, Op. 21/4, Plechtige Optocht after Peter Benoit’s oratorio “Drama Christi”*, Toccata Final, Op. 23. * - First Recordings.

Description: One of the less-known Belgian organist-composers, Callaerts was organist at the cathedral where this recording was made and played the very same instrument which was dedicated in 1891. Callaerts’ composition fall between the traditional French style of Guilmant and Lemmens and the symphonic style of Widor and Vierne, the 1893 Symphonie pastorale being closer to the latter. Peter Van de Velde (Schyven organ of Our Lady’s Cathedral at Antwerp).