The evocation of the night, the predilection theme of the German Romanticism, has inspired many poets and musicians. From Weihnachten (Christmas night) to Sphärenmusik (music of the spheres) by way of the Abendstern (evening star) and the Symphonic Chorale of Karg-Elert Nun ruhen alle Wälder (all the woods are now at rest) also subtitled Abendlied, the night is alternately here the promise of the good news on Christmas Eve, a metaphor of the eternal sleep or the dawn of a new day in another world.The program of this disc, emblematic of the Germanic Post-Romanticism, is directly inspired by the authentically preserved German aesthetic of the Great Organ Link of Mirepoix Cathedral. Heard are some rare and original works from Sigfrid Karg-Elert where the organ, the violin and the voice are blending with each other. This program also includes, as a common thread, some pieces for organ solo from his illustrious predecessor at the Leipzig Conservatory, Max Reger – composer whose Karg-Elert took up the torch from.Last but not least, the two moving chorales by Johannes Brahms on O Welt, ich muss dich lassen, from his opus ultimum, frame the Great Fantasy Opus 87 no.3 by Karg-Elert. The latter piece, an obvious homage to the Brahms musical spirit, from which it borrows many times the famous theme Wiegendlied, is based on the chorale Nun ruhen alle wälder, whose melody is identical to the one of the O Welt by Brahms.

Stephane Bois, organist of Mirepoix plays this great but little heard instrument.