Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750):
Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor, BWV 542 (arr. Jelte Althuis):
I. Fantasia
II. Fugue

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1561-1621):
Fantasia Chromatica (arr. Jelte Althuis)

Nicolaus Bruhns (1665-1697):
Preludium in E Minor “Big” (arr. Jelte Althuis)

Sebastián Aguilera de Heredia (1561-1627):
Obra de 8o tono alto:
Ensalada (arr. Jelte Althuis)

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897):
3 Chorale Preludes (arr. Raaf Hekkema):
O Welt, ich muß dich lassen (Op. 122/No. 11)
Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen (Op. 122/No. 8
O Welt, ich muß dich lassen (Op. 122/No. 3)

César Franck (1822-1890):
9 Chorale No. 2 in B Minor (arr. Jelte Althuis)

Jehan Alain (1911-1940):
Litanies (arr. Raaf Hekkema)

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986):
Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d’Alain (arr. Jelte Althuis):
I. Prélude
II. Fugue

Florence Beatrice Price (1887-1953):
Suite No. 1 for Organ (arr. Jelte Althuis):
I. Fantasy
II. Fughetta
III. Air
IV. Toccato

With Organisms, Calefax explores the majestic and mysterious essence of the organ without an organ in sight. Revoicing centuries of repertoire for reed quintet, they channel the instrument’s spiritual depth, improvisational roots, and theatrical flair through breath and reed instead of pipes. The result is not just interpretation, but transformation Calefax becomes a living, breathing organ, uncovering the humanity behind the grandeur. From Sweelinck’s Fantasia Chromatica and Bruhns’ richly imaginative Prelude in E Minor, through the intimate final chorales of Brahms and Franck, to Florence Price’s Suite No. 1, which blends African-American musical traditions with Romantic expressiveness, this album redefines the organ not as a sacred machine, but as a vital force of musical imagination. In 2025, Calefax celebrates their 40th anniversary. Organisms is the fifth PENTATONE release by Calefax, following their critically acclaimed albums An American Rhapsody (2023), Bach’s Musical Offerings (2020), Dido & Aeneazz (2019), and Hidden Gems (2018), which earned 5 stars from BBC Music Magazine. Praised for their “witty, wellcrafted arrangements” (De Volkskrant) and “beautiful playing” (Het Parool), Calefax has been hailed by The Times as “five extremely gifted Dutch gents who almost made the reed quintet seem the best musical format on the planet.”

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This album was recorded at Doopsgezinde Kerk in Haarlem, Netherlands, in January 2025