THREE LATE ORGAN SONATAS BY JOSEF RHEINBERGER

Three Late Organ Sonatas presents organist Halgeir Schiager in a compelling exploration of three substantial works from the late‑Romantic and early‑modern organ tradition. Released on LAWO Classics, the album showcases Schiager’s authoritative musicianship, architectural clarity, and deep affinity for large‑scale organ repertoire, captured on an instrument capable of revealing the full expressive and dynamic range of these sonatas.

The three works featured on this recording represent a period in which the organ sonata evolved into a form of symphonic breadth and emotional depth. Each sonata carries its own distinct character—at times introspective, at times monumental—yet all share a sense of structural ambition and harmonic richness that demands both technical mastery and interpretive insight. Schiager brings these qualities to the forefront with performances marked by precision, expressive restraint, and a keen understanding of the repertoire’s historical and stylistic context.

Known for his extensive work with both traditional and contemporary organ literature, Schiager approaches these sonatas with a balance of scholarly awareness and artistic freedom. His interpretations highlight the music’s long‑spun lines, its dramatic contrasts, and its intricate contrapuntal writing, while allowing the instrument’s colors to unfold naturally within the acoustic space. The result is a recording that not only documents three significant works but also offers a renewed perspective on the expressive possibilities of the organ.