| J.S. Bach - Organ Works - The Leipzig Chorales - Review Excerpts |
 The Gramophone (UK) (April 2007) "His playing is precise and clean... many will find the textural precision and clarity... to their taste... the recording... exemplary." The Age 'Green Guide' (Australia) (25 April 2002) "This collection... is wide-ranging in conception and expression and is the perfect vehicle for revealing the marvellously diverse colours of the Ahrend... O'Donnell brings his great depth of scholarship to bear on his performances." Organ Pleno (Australia) (April 2002) "The recording, the seamless editing, the spaces between items, the lavish, informative 32-page booklet... these are simply first-rate, and place Melba Recordings among the very best in the world - better in fact than many who would claim that position... This is a musical experience to be treasured." Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) (18 May 2002) "Thanks to the Ahrend organ's colours and O'Donnell's imaginative stop-pulling, the variety is immense. There are the blazing full-organ numbers... gentle flutey fantasias where the chorale tunes emerge with piquant nasal clarity... and sprightly trios in the instrumental style of the day." The Weekend Australian (Australia) (25 May 2002) "The Leipzig Chorales are like the richest of fruit cakes, with layer upon layer of tastes and textures and the glory of Bach's seemingly inexhaustible invention." 24 Hours (Australia) (May 2002) "[The Ahrend organ] sings! Its superb tonal voicing ensures that it has enough variety to colour and shape the music, and it has been faithfully recorded, giving a sense of proximity that enhances the intimacy of the ornamented chorales." Organ Music Society of Adelaide (Australia) (June 2002) "O'Donnell provides us with a refreshingly new interpretation of the work... O'Donnell's performance demonstrated his abilities as a thoughtful, controlled organist in his phrasing, the playing of complex trills and the organ's registration... The CD as a whole has much to be praised... a constant delight to listen to." |