| Review by Lute March 16, 2013 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Beautiful, meditative music for pipe organ by the Jesuit priest, Padre Nemesio Otano. While he may not be that well known, he is nonetheless an important figure in 20th century Spanish music. Along with composing sacred music, he published several books on the subject and gave concerts as choir director and organist. Folklore and folk songs were another area of interest to Otano. He traveled and collected songs based on folklore, and then complied them into collections. Born in 1880 in Azkoitia, he was also an active member of the musical establishment in Madrid and played an important role in the founding of the Instituto Nacional de Musicologia. During the late 19th & early 20th centuries, the Spanish Basque Country saw the construction of many fine romantic organs. And through Padre Otano's efforts, most of these magnificent instruments have been preserved in near original condition.
With its sonic beauty and harmonic delicacy, Otano's music shows the influence of late romantic composers, such as Wagner, Bruckner, Mahler and Strauss. However; the overall impression of these works for organ is one of reflection and solemn devotion...with rays of cheerful sunshine beaming through like a beatific smile. Some of these pieces, such as Preludio Sinfonico, have ethereal melodies based on Gregorian chant. And in some of them, for example "Cancion en estriol gregoriano", the music has an impressionistic brilliance with an underling spiritual serenity.
Hailing from San Sebastian, the organist Esteban Elizondo Iriarte is an ideal exponent for the organ works of Padre Otano. He is completely in his element with this heavenly music. His performance is sensitive and heartfelt, but also expresses plenty of grandeur and intensity at the music's climax.
The Aeolus recording faithfully captures the gorgeous sound of the Cavaille-Coll organ in the Loyola Basilica in Azpeitia. Originally consecrated on June 10, 1889, this instrument is designated as a romantic-symphonic organ. Some of its special characteristics are the two swell boxes: the Positif has the Oboe, Clarinet & Carillon...And the Recit has the Cornet. The recording has a nice balance...giving the more meditative, quiet sections of the music plenty of detail and warmth... while allowing the overall sound to have enough space. In multichannel, the wonderful acoustics of the Basilica are very lifelike and atmospheric. 2-channel sound is also warm and clear with ample bloom. The recording took place on October 17 & 18, 2007.
Recommended ... especially for anyone who is fond of organ music with a more solemn, contemplative mood.
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