The works of Michael Praetorius (1571-1621), an outstanding composer and great innovator, have mainly come to the contemporary public's attention thanks to his collection of dances under the name of _Terpsichore_ and to his theoretical writings. Jean-Charles Ablitzer here gives us the first recording of 10 organ pieces selected from his _Musae Soniae_ (phantasies on Lutherian melodies) and from his _Hymnodia Sonia _(Latin hymns). This interpretation, already acclaimed by a Choc from the Monde de la Musique, reveals Praetorius as an inspired and gentle colourist, whose musical idiom will leave a deep imprint on the first generation of baroque composers. The musicological rigour and the great sensitivity of the interpreter is further expressed by the choice of the historic organ of the church of St. Stephan in Tangermnde. Not only is it contemporary of the composer, but an identical model by the same maker is extensively described in Preatorius' _Syntagma Musicum._ For once, as a unique exception, Alpha forfeits its role as a producer in order to bring this record to the public. It had been auto-produced by the artist but never commercialised while its unique quality soon turned it into an absolute, although unavailable reference.
1 CD Alpha 114
