The beautiful province of Groningen in the northern Netherlands is remarkable for the number of organs dating from 1450 to the present day which have survived, often without substantial alteration. The greatest of these instruments is the organ of the Martinikerk, now magnificently restored to its condition shortly after Schnitger's work on it in the late 17th century. This 2-hour DVD traces the history of the Martini organ with reference to nearby organs of the appropriate period, with ample footage of the instruments and buildings that house them. The beautiful sounds made by these organs are demonstrated most effectively by organist Sietze de Vries, who plays on all tracks bar one of the five CDs included in the package. The documentary is based around interviews with that great authority on the historical organs of nothern Europe, Cornelius Edskes, a most cultured, eloquent and enthusiastic host with a very natural on-camera manner. The film should appeal to a wide variety of organ-lovers, such is its scope and professional quality, with some fascinating footage (e.g. of metal pipe-casting) and considerable input from the builder responsible for the restoration of the Martini organ, Jurgen Ahrend (who built the organ in the Reid Concert Hall in Edinburgh). The five CDs embrace music from Scheidemann to Schumann, with several tracks allocated to each of the nineteen organs featured, and include some excellent improvisations from de Vries. The LP-sized book includes sumptuous photographs of, and specifications for, all the organs. A smaller booklet details the registrations used for each work on each CD. The complete package may appear expensive, but is worth every penny..

Reviewed by Anne McAlister