Kola Owolabi - Jacques Boyvin: Four Suites From The Second Livre D'Orgue (2017)

Kola Owolabi, associate professor of organ at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, plays these pieces by Jacques Boyvin on the beautiful organ built in 1732 by Andreas Silbermann (1678-1734), for the Abbey church in Ebersmunster, France. The organ incorporates stops and sounds expected by composers of organ music in France during the 17th and 18th centuries, and thus specified in the music by Boyvin. Andreas, working in Alsace with strong French and German influences, also included certain Germanic capabilities in the organ at Ebersmunster, as well. Andreas Silbermann was the elder brother of Gottfried Silbermann (1683-1753) who became the famous organ builder known personally to J. S. Bach. Gottfried learned organ building from his older brother in Alsace. {Raven Records}

"Despite the fact that these Suites were composed for use within the liturgy of Roman Catholic masses and vespers, Kola Owolabi's playing is always characterized by an attention to their unfussy and uncluttered style. Apparently Boyvin was quite specific when it came to the registration of his pieces, and it seems that Owolabi's choice of instrument and its range of stops, work hand in hand to generate the proper sound befitting each piece's distinctive character. Some of them, when allowed to project this organ's beautiful mellow flute stops, even brought a smile to my face.

"The extensive booklet notes which cover everything concerning the composer, the organist, the history of the organ and its range of stops, all help make this recording a must for any pipe organ music enthusiasts, and/or any music fans in general for that matter. Music not often heard always freshens the listening experience and adds perspective to everything else. "