Thanks to the recording house Rosa, the organist Irena Chřibková, the mezzosoprano Pavla Vykopalová and the indispensable sponsors, a short concert accompanying the launching of a CD of compositions by Bedřich Antonín Wiedermann took place at St. James´ Basilica on 25th Nov 2005. It is truly a meritorious act which contributes to the revival of the legacy of this eminent organist and teacher. His compositional and concert activities mainly in Prague churches at Emmaus, at St. James´ and at Smetana Hall in the Municipal House were inherent part of the cultural life in Prague. Wiedermann´s compositions are nothing of elementary music to drill organ technique but a highly educated and emancipated compositional art as declared in the opening piece of Impetuoso, an organ virtuoso composition bearing traces of French organ music. Sacred Songs, Series I and the other three vocal pieces present music of inner and fine nature, rich in melody which perfectly reflects the spiritual content of lyrics, taken mainly from hymnals and Psalm texts. The CD also contains the first Wiedermann composition Ave Maria, composed during his theological studies. The other organ compositions – Capriccietto, Variations on composer’s theme, Christmas Elegy and Humoresque present Wiedermann as an expert in finding music colours through organ registration and a master of organ technique. The closing piece Toccata and Fugue in F minor, probably the most famous Wiedermann´s composition, is a modern counterpart to Bach´s renowned Toccata and Fugue in D minor. The initiator of the CD recording, Irena Chřibková is a titular organist at St. James´ Basilica who excels in marvellous technique and organ registration. Her CD partner, Ms Pavla Vykopalová is an opera singer of fine, sonorous tone and perfect voice technique. They have both studied their parts with a deep understanding of Wiedermann´ s composition legacy and made it possible for us to encounter music unreasonably neglected. The sophisticated analysis by Ms Chřibková about the origin, history and disposition of St. James´ organ enriches the attached booklet.
(Jiří Teml, HUDEBNÍ ROZHLEDY, February 2006)