DISCOGRAPHY

A monumental survey of the 20th-century Dutch master. Rooted in the symphonic tradition of César Franck, these four Chorals represent a peak of spiritual depth and architectural grandeur, performed on an instrument that mirrors Andriessen’s visionary language.

A two-disc set presenting the fastidious, carefully wrought oeuvre of the French master. Featuring the Requiem in its preferred organ and reduced orchestration edition, the recording highlights Duruflé’s seamless blend of Gregorian plainsong and Impressionist harmony.

The debut recording of the Klais organ at Leeds Cathedral. This disc serves as a technical profile of the instrument’s versatile voicing, featuring original works by Pärt and Howells alongside high-definition transcriptions of Philip Glass and Benjamin Britten.

The Listener (five stars)
"I’m in love immediately and spontaneously in the peculiar music of choice-Uzbeks. One of the best organ music recordings I’ve heard. Saunders is an excellent performer, the phrasing is very good, technically also highly convincing and he possesses that rare gift of a personal and individual touch in organ music.” 

Choir and Organ (five stars)
“You will be richly rewarded by delving into Saunders’s warmly persuasive playing. A highly recommended introduction to a neglected composer.” 

Organists Review (five stars)
“Performances full of spirit and commitment…. excellent clarity and breadth – a shining example. Sensitive and devotional…with a terrifically focused and contrasted reading.”

Church Music Quarterly (five stars)
“Essential listening: This CD is testament to what can be achieved when proper investment is made in music and given support from the top. Many who mourn the demise and disintegration of music infrastructures over the past 30 years or so will gain inspiration from – and possibly envy at – what there is here.”

Radio France
“Le disque coup de coeur de la semaine.”

Kölner Dom Orgelfeierstunden
“A totally impressive performance… we were captivated by the exceedingly beautiful and varied use of the Dom organ… showing the great skill of the English concert organist in large acoustics.”

Mississippi Rag
"A tour de force of the player's considerable technique and a rhythmic sense matching any jazzman's."

Journal für die Orgel
“He gives the music life and is absolutely essential listening, and performs its technical requirements effortlessly.”

NMZ Neuen Musikzeitung
“An extremely sensitive ear for the different aesthetics of the music.”  

Artistxite
“Under Benjamin Saunders a successful new interpretation with the calm and contemplation that places Pärt’s deep spirituality at the heart of the matter.”

Stuttgarter Zeitung
“The Englishman produced the many different sounds of a symphony orchestra from the Mühleisen organ with great taste and moved refreshingly off the well beaten paths.”

The Jazz Master, Dick Hyman
"I am absolutely delighted! Mr. Saunders’ performance was excellent and I’m proud to have these pieces in this album."

Gramophone Magazine
“This highly impressive disc features a selection of Pärt’s choral music and his complete output for organ. What makes the recording special is the full-throated sound of the choir, featuring both boy and girl trebles, captured in the spacious acoustics of Leeds Cathedral itself.” 

Gramophone Magazine
“Leeds Cathedral Choir…bright tone and honest, natural singing deliver very accomplished and satisfying performances. The choir are ably supported by the splendid accompaniments of the Skipton Camerata and organists Benjamin Saunders and Daniel Justin. It’s faithfully captured by the excellent recording… an enjoyable and rewarding two-CD set.”

Kaliningradskaya Pravda
An account about Ben's concerts in Kaliningrad.
(Copyright © Rhinegold Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) 

Organists Review

A profile of Ben by Joe Riley.
(Copyright © Organists Review. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)