Markus Kaufmann - Aus der Neuen Welt (Kern-Orgel in der Frauenkirche Dresden) (2020)

Universal organs often have the problem of not being particularly suitable for either baroque or symphonic music. The organ of Daniel Kern in the Frauenkirche in Dresden stands out here as an example of an outstandingly successful bridge between organ traditions. The criterion for the choice of instrument for the present recording of Antonín Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" in the version for organ four hands transcribed by Pascal Kaufmann was the good drawing ability of characteristic 8' and 4' basic voices.

Thanks to the diversity of pipe menus, on the one hand according to Gottfried and Andreas Silbermann, on the other according to Cavaillé-Coll (France, 19th century), the Kern organ offered a sufficiently large selection. The very dynamic swell with French reed stops and the typesetter system with modern standards make it possible to bring the symphony to life with a total of over 400 different registrations. Two further compositions complete the present CD: the Humoresque op. 101 / 7 by Antonín Dvorák in a transcription for (two-handed) organ by Edwin Lemare and "Der Heilige Franziskus von Paula auf den Wogen schreitend" S 175 by Franz Liszt, also in a four-handed transcription by Pascal Kaufmann - a work that once again wonderfully reflects the richness of the facets of the Kern organ in the Frauenkirche Dresden, built in 2005.

The brothers Markus and Pascal Kaufmann, who come from Lichtenstein in Saxony, studied together at the Carl Maria von Weber Academy of Music in Dresden and the Academy of Church Music in Dresden. Pascal Kaufmann was assistant to the Frauenkirche organist Samuel Kummer and is currently a church musician in Augustusburg, Saxony. Markus Kaufmann works as cathedral organist in Quedlinburg. The recording of the present CD was supported by the Stiftung Frauenkirche.