Charles-Valentin Alkan - Complete Organ Works, Vol. 1 (Joseph Nolan)

Information

Composer: Charles-Valentin Alkan

• 11 Grand Preludes and Transcription of Handel's Messiah, Op. 66
• Handel - Messiah: Recitative. Thy rebuke hath broken His heart - Arioso. Behold, and see (transcr. Alkan)
• Petits préludes sur les huit gammes du plainchant
• Impromptu On Luther's "Un Fort Rempart Est Notre Dieu" Op. 69 (Version for Organ)

Joseph Nolan, organ

Date: 2026

Label: Signum Records

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The first volume of The Complete Alkan Organ Works features Joseph Nolan performing Charles-Valentin Alkan’s major organ and pedal-piano compositions on the restored Stahlhuth–Jann organ at St Martin’s Church, Dudelange. The recording includes the 11 Grands Préludes and Handel transcription Op. 66, Petits Préludes sur les huit gammes du plainchant, and the Impromptu on Luther’s “Ein feste Burg,” Op. 69. The accompanying booklet provides context on Alkan’s distinctive role in 19th-century French music, the technical challenges of these rarely performed works, and the history of the instrument, highlighting Nolan’s dedication to bringing this repertoire to life.

Joseph Nolan (b. 1974) is an English-born Australian organist and conductor renowned for his performances, recordings, and contributions to French organ music. He studied at the Royal College of Music under Richard Popplewell, furthered his training in Paris with Marie-Claire Alain, and completed postgraduate studies in London with Dame Gillian Weir. Nolan served as organist at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, performing at Buckingham Palace, and in 2008 became Organist and Master of the Choristers at St George’s Cathedral, Perth. He is acclaimed for his recordings of Charles-Marie Widor’s complete organ works and has received numerous awards, including Chevalier of the Order of French Arts and Letters and a Doctor of Letters from the University of Western Australia.