During his lifetime Hans Fährmann was known as “the Richard Strauss of the organ.” Today the compositions of this composer and organist, who was born in 1860 in Beicha, Saxony, are largely unknown.

Frieder Bernius has now devoted himself to Fährmann’s sacred vocal works and has found the SWR Vokalensemble to be the ideal partner for these late romantic a cappella works. The motets, whose demanding harmonies also demand professional ensembles, are now available on CD for the first time.

The SWR vocal ensemble has mastered this challenge brilliantly. For Frieder Bernius, a conductor always on the lookout for exciting choral literature, Fährmann’s compositions represent “an indispensable and very welcome enrichment of the late romantic repertoire.” How true!