My review of Carpenter’s Sony Classical release Flash with Substance, Cameron Carpenter Takes on Rachmaninoff and Poulenc, in which he played his transcription for Organ and Orchestra of Rachmaninoff’s beautiful Paganini Rhapsody paired with his exciting rendition of the always welcome Poulenc Organ Concerto. It’s kind of a gutsy move to perform the Rachmaninoff with an organ instead of a piano, bordering on sacrilege for some. Given that programming though, the choices for this recording are a little less surprising as both further stretch the notion of what an organist is actually able to play and demonstrate the sheer breadth of this composer/performer’s musical vision.

Here’s the track list for his Decca Gold debut. Take a good look and meet me at the end of this list:

Tracklist

J.S. Bach – The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (1741)

• Aria
• Variatio 1. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 2. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 3. Canone all’Unisono. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 4. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 5. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav.
• Variatio 6. Canone alla Seconda. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 7. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav. al tempo di Giga
• Variatio 8. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 9. Canone alla Terza. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 10. Fughetta. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 11. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 12. a 1 Clav. Canone alla Quarta in moto contrario
• Variatio 13. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 14. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 15. Canone alla Quinta. a 1 Clav.: Andante
• Variatio 16. Ouverture. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 17. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 18. Canone alla Sesta. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 19. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 20. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 21. Canone alla Settima
• Variatio 22. a 1 Clav. alla breve
• Variatio 23. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 24. Canone all’Ottava. a 1 Clav.
• Variatio 25. a 2 Clav.: Adagio
• Variatio 26. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 27. Canone alla Nona. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 28. a 2 Clav.
• Variatio 29. a 1 ô vero 2 Clav.
• Variatio 30. a 1 Clav. Quodlibet
• Aria da Capo

Howard Hanson (arr. Carpenter) – Symphony No. 2 in D-flat Major, Opus 30 “Romantic” (1930)

1. Adagio
2. Andante con tenerezza
3. Allegro con brio

Yup, the Bach Goldberg variations played on the organ followed by Carpenter’s transcription of Howard Hanson’s (1896-1981) lovely Second Symphony, subtitled, “Romantic” (Trivia: the finale of this work is played over the end credits on the Ridley Scott film, Alien). But I’m willing to wager that neither Hanson aficionados (always among my faves) nor fans of Alien ever imagined hearing this piece played on an organ. But it works.

And that is Carpenter’s genius, or a portion of his genius. He is a man with a mission. He is a virtuoso of the highest order, he is a showman such that earns him a membership in my “glam classical” category, and he is a scholar with wide ranging tastes whose choices have challenged and charmed this humble listener and doubtless many others. My God, the man had a digital portable touring organ custom built for him! It is the instrument upon which he recorded this and the previously referenced disc.

He has antecedents such as Virgil Fox and Anthony Newman, musicians who eschew the stoic musician stereotype (nothing wrong with stoic, either) and engage the audience in their more theatrical manners. And it is the delicate balance between the musicianship and the stage presence that is worth the audience’s time. By my count this is his 8th album released. Check out his web page for more.

Watch any of his YouTube videos where his stage presence is as engaging as his virtuosity. Sure, he plays the “standard repertoire” authoritatively. His Bach is as engaging as his genial manner. This is one exciting composer/performer and it is a joy to watch him develop his brand. All sorts of ideas chase themselves in my mind when I ponder what he’ll do next. But I’d rather be surprised.