Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) Works for Solo Keyboard Christopher Herrick, organ Hyperion 67421/2 [2cds] Everything seems to be in place here for an excellent Sweelinck listening experience. Although the centuries keep chugging forward, Sweelinck is still considered the finest Dutch composer of classical music. Too far back in time to experience much of the "Stylus Phantasticus" which unchained composers from strict architecture and gave them a free rein on their creativity, Sweelinck was the essential model used by composers such as Weckmann and even Buxtehude as the basis for their departure from very early baroque forms. Entire discs devoted to the keyboard music of Sweelinck are rare, so Christopher Herrick is providing fans of Baroque organ music a great opportunity to hear Sweelinck's artistry. As some of you already know, Herrick recently completed his series of Bach organ works on modern organs for Hyperion. That was a fine accomplishment, and I am hopeful that this Sweelinck set will be even more rewarding. Why? This time around, he uses a 17th century Swedish organ that will undoubtedly present a more idiomatic flavor than the modern organ can possibly muster. Although some modern organs are built using baroque ones as their model, there is nothing like the real thing. Sticking with early organ music, my 'honarable mention' is an Arte Nova disc of Baroque organ music from Northern Europe. The organist is Mario Hospach-Martini and his organ of choice is a Christian Muller organ built and ready for service in 1727; the organ was restored to its original form in 1972 by the organ company Bakker and Timminga of Leeuwarden. The program consists of music by Weckmann, Buxtehude, Scheidemann, and Reincken (TT - 62:14). I have heard this disc, and it is a fine and inexpensive introduction to the organ music of the early Baroque period. The 'King of Instruments' beckons, so don't be left behind. Don Satz [log in to unmask]