Organisms by Calefax transforms centuries of organ music into a living, breathing experience, reimagining its spiritual depth and theatrical power through the voices of a reed quintet. Featuring works from Sweelinck to Florence Price, this 40th-anniversary album reveals the organ not as a machine, but as a vital force of human imagination.
With Organisms, Calefax explores the majestic and mysterious essence of the organ— without an organ in sight. Revoicing centuries of repertoire for reed quintet, they channel the instrument’s spiritual depth, improvisational roots, and theatrical flair through breath and reed instead of pipes. The result is not just interpretation, but transformation—Calefax becomes a living, breathing organ, uncovering the humanity behind the grandeur.
From Sweelinck’s Fantasia Chromatica and Bruhns’ richly imaginative Prelude in E Minor, through the intimate final chorales of Brahms and Franck, to Florence Price’s Suite No. 1, which blends African-American musical traditions with Romantic expressiveness, this album redefines the organ not as a sacred machine, but as a vital force of musical imagination.
“This album is the fulfillment of a dream we’ve cherished for years. Now, we are thrilled to unveil the extraordinary beauty and depth of organ music that captured our hearts.”
— Jelte Althuis
Bass clarinetist of Calefax
Tracklist
Johann Sebastian Bach Fantasie and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck Fantasia Chromatica
Nicolaus Bruhns Preludium in E minor “Big”
Sebastián Aguilera de Heredia Obra de 8o tono alto: Ensalada
Johannes Brahms 3 Chorale Preludes
César Franck Chorale No. 2 in B minor
Jehan Alain Litanies
Maurice Duruflé Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d’Alain
Florence Beatrice Price Suite No. 1 for Organ
