Dresden's church music in the 19th century presents a highly varied picture. Next to the Catholic tradition of the court and the court chapel, the principal Evangelical churches (Frauenkirche, Kreuzkirche and Sophienkirche) also played an important role. It was not easy for editor Andreas Sieling to choose the composers for the "Dresden Organ Music," many of whom are forgotten today, but who were known in their own time beyond the borders of Dresden both as composers and performers. Ultimately, the collection came to encompass a little more than one century, ranging from Johann Gottlob Schneider (1789-1864), who became the organist of the Dresden court chapel in 1825, to Paul Otto Krause (1880-1946), a student of Sigfrid Karg-Elert. In addition to free compositions, the book also contains chorale-related pieces that were transposed into the keys used in the "Evangelisches Gesangbuch" whenever this was deemed helpful. Particularly charming are Christmastime pieces such as Max Birn's Fantasy on "Kommet ihr Hirten," for example. The collection thus pays tribute to Dresden as a major organ center in the 19th century after Leipzig (EB 8603) and Berlin (EB 8613) as well as the Netherlands and Belgium (EB 8621). Editor: Andreas Sieling CONTENTS: Alfred Grundmann Vom Himmel hoch Carl August Fischer Adagio Christian Gottlob Höpner Adagio Christian Gottlob Höpner Wer nur den lieben Gott laesst walten Gustav Merkel Con moto Gustav Merkel Praeludium und Fuge h-moll Gustav Merkel Schmuecke dich, o liebe Seele Gustav Merkel Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme Johann Gottlob Schneider Elevation Johann Gottlob Schneider Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan Max Birn Weihnachts-Fantasie (Kommet, ihr Hirten) Oskar Wermann Praeludium und Fuge über die Töne des Glockengelaeutes der Kreuzkirche zu Dresden Oskar Wermann Weihnachts-Pastorale Paul Geist Allegretto Paul Geist Con fuoco Paul Krause Basso ostinato Paul Krause Postludiale Skizze