Speelt Romantische Orgelwerken Op Het Garrels-Orgel Van Ge Grote Kerk Te Maassluis

Released by Philips in 1979, this recording features the renowned Dutch organist Feike Asma performing at the Grote Kerk in Maassluis. The instrument itself, the historic Garrels-orgel, was constructed by Rudolph Garrels between 1730 and 1732 and is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of 18th-century organ building in the Netherlands. Asma was a towering figure in the Dutch organ world during the mid-20th century, known for his commitment to the Romantic repertoire, which often stood in contrast to the period-performance movement that favored earlier stylistic interpretations.

Asma’s association with the Maassluis instrument was long-standing, and these recordings were intended to capture the immense tonal color and depth of the Garrels organ. The design of the sleeve reflects the standard aesthetic for Philips' classical and liturgical series of the era, focusing on the cultural heritage of the instrument and the stature of the performer. While the musicological community at the time was divided on Asma’s heavy use of late-Romantic registration on such an instrument, his recordings remained essential to his dedicated base of listeners and served as a significant documentation of the Grote Kerk's acoustic legacy.