Cameron Carpenter

November 2020
This album released by Sony Classical was the American organist Cameron Carpenter first orchestral recording, and also his first live concert recording. This release features an original Rhapsody version of a song by Rachmaninoff’s Paganini, recorded live at Berlin’s Konzerthaus, alongside Poulenc’s Popular Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani. The album program is completed by Vierne’s Organ Symphony No. 1, recorded live as the encore for the concert. Carpenter is accompanied by the Konzerthausorchester Berlin under the direction of renowned director Christoph Eschenbach.  

The artist’s adaptation for organ and orchestra of the Rhapsody on a theme by Rachmaninov’s Paganini demonstrates Carpenter’s exemplary musical ability.  This is not an easy task indeed, because of the complexity involved in combining the orchestra with a solo instrument of equal or superior possibilities. However, Carpenter’s version is perfectly balanced, with no relevant interferences and just right to meet his personality and his manual and pedal technique. The Rachmaninov’s piece keeps the original essence but with a new fresh spirit. Carpenter performs with great control and artistry, and at the same time he takes our breath away leading us to feel the unbridled romanticism of the work. 

Poulenc’s concerti is considered one of the most popular of organ concerti and affecter this recording it definitely became even more well known. Carpenter, now as a rigorous soloist, masters it amazing us once again with his incredible technique.  

Maybe the weakest point of the recording is The Vierne where we can spot an over elongation of the musical line and the frequent change in tonal registrations and the tempi which doesn’t seem to match with the original work. 

The orchestra accompaniments under the artistic and creative direction of Mr. Christoph Eschenbach become a crucial part of the performance. They sound precise and clear and in complete synchronization with the organist.  

We must also point out the superb recording quality of the CD which totally gives protagonism to the organ in this tonal combination of organ and orchestra. The sound jumps out of the digital world into your space with power and motion. 
The 14 pages booklet also contain the detailed explanations of this fine M&O Touring Organ and is the first time that they have been published. We definitely recommend you to use a good stereo System to enjoy this Jewel CD to the fullest!

– Clara Horner

Rachmaninoff. Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini
Cameron Carpenter

Sergei Rachmaninoff
1. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Introduction: Allegro vivace – Variation I: Precedente
2. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Theme: L’istesso tempo
3. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 2: L’istesso tempo
4. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 3: L’istesso tempo
5. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 4: Più vivo
6. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 5: Tempo precedente
7. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 6: L’istesso tempo
8. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 7: Meno mosso, a tempo moderato
9. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 8: Tempo I
10. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 9: L’istesso tempo
11. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 10: L’istesso tempo
12. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 11: Moderato
13. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 12: Tempo di minuetto
14. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 13: Allegro
15. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 14: L’istesso tempo
16. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 15: Più vivo scherzando
17. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 16: Allegretto
18. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 17: Allegretto
19. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 18: Andante cantabile
20. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 19: A tempo vivace
21. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 20: Un poco più vivo
22. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 21: Un poco più vivo
23. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 22: Marziale: Un poco più vivo Alla breve
24. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 23: L’istesso tempo
25. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Variation 24: A tempo un poco meno mosso
26. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43: Più vivo
Francis Poulenc
27. Concerto for organ, timpani and strings in G minor FP 93: I. Andante
28. Concerto for organ, timpani and strings in G minor FP 93: II. Allegro giocoso
29. Concerto for organ, timpani and strings in G minor FP 93: III. Subito Andante Moderato
30. Concerto for organ, timpani and strings in G minor FP 93: IV. Tempo Allegro. Molto Agitato
31. Concerto for organ, timpani and strings in G minor FP 93: V. Très calme. Lent
32. Concerto for organ, timpani and strings in G minor FP 93: VI. Tempo de l Allegro initial
33. Concerto for organ, timpani and strings in G minor FP 93: VII. Tempo Introduction – Largo
Louis Vierne
34. Organ Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 14: VI. Finale