Recordings

Christa’s CDs are available through the Gothic catalog. Click below to purchase online.

  • NEW! A TRIBUTE TO HUKO HAYASHI: Order today!

    A Tribute to Yuko Hayashi
    Christa Rakich, organ
    The first recording or Richards-Fowkes Opus 16
    Order today!

    $17.98 plus $3 shipping & handling

    or contact Christa to order on account.

    Click below for CD details.

  • DETAILS: A TRIBUTE TO YUKO HAYASHI: Goodson Chapel at Duke University
    This is the first recording of Richards, Fowkes Opus 16, located in Goodson Chapel at the Duke University Divinity School. The chapel space presents a warm acoustical environment, allowing the organ to project a solid but unforced sound. The new organ is a gem among the extraordinary collection of organs at Duke.

    Rakich’s imaginative programming explores new works by Woodman and Cooman, and new arrangements of works by Mendelssohn and Chaminade (with Wendy Rolfe, flute). Bach and Klas Bolt (longtime organist of the famous organ at St Bavo’s Church in Haarlem, The Netherlands) complete the composer roster.
     
    Program:

    J. S. Bach: Prelude in F minor, BWV 534.1
    Bach: An Wasserflüssen Babylon, five voices, BWV 653b
    Bach: Fugue in F minor, BWV 534.2

    Klaas Bolt: Variations on Ontwaak, gij die Slaapt

    Felix Mendelssohn: Prelude in E minor for Piano
    transcribed by W.T. Best

    Johanna Senfter, from Ten Chorale Preludes, Opus 70:
    Mache dich mein Geist bereit
    Nun ruhen alle Wälder
    Herr, ich habe mißgehandelt

    Mendelssohn: Fugue in E minor

    Cécile Chaminade: Concertino in D, Opus 107
    Wendy Rolfe, flute

    James Woodman: An Extravagance of Toccatas
    pro Organo pleno
    pro Organo aetherio
    pro Organo flagrante

    Carson Cooman, from Three Autumn Sketches after a Watercolor by Maria Willscher:
    Sonnenuntergang (Sunset)
     
    The organ in Goodson Chapel at Duke University has never been recorded, though it is 10 years old.
     
    Here are Roger Sherman (recording engineer, Gothic), moi, and Wendy Rolfe, having just finished the recording.
  • FROM THE ASHES: MUSIC FROM SOMERS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

    From the Ashes: Music from Somers Congregational Church
    Christa Rakich, organ
    Kathleen Schiano, cello
    Greig Shearer, flute
    Organ: Richards-Fowkes

    Following a disastrous fire, Somers Congregational Church (Somers, CT) rebuilt their church and commissioned a new Richards-Fowkes organ The organ and acoustics are perfect for chamber music and intimate performances of organ solo literature.

    Rakich is a fine player whose clean, clear, musical performances demonstrate that tonal variety and musical interest can be achieved on a small instrument through intelligent, thoughtful programming. —American Record Guide

    Rakich’s playing is a connoisseur’s delight. —The American Organist

  • BACH: LEIPZIG CHORALES (2 CDS!)

    J.S. Bach: The Leipzig Chorales
    Christa Rakich, organ

    “A connoisseur’s delight!” — The American Organist (click the “Reviews” tab above for the full text)

    A two-disc program of Bach’s famous “Great Eighteen,” performed by acclaimed organist Christa Rakich on two very different organs. The booklet contains program notes by the artist as well as full organ specifications and registrations.

    CD 1: C. B. Fisk organ at Old West Church in Boston

    Fantasia super Komm, Heiliger Geist in organo pleno / il canto fermo nel pedale, S 651
    Trio super Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend à 2 claviers et pédale, S 655
    Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele à 2 claviers et pédale, S 654
    Nun danket alle Gott à 2 claviers et pédale / il canto fermo nel soprano, S 657
    Von Gott will ich nicht lassen il canto fermo nel pedale, S 658
    Komm, Gott, Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist in organo pleno / con pedale obligato, S 667
    Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland à 2 claviers et pédale, S 659
    Trio super Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland a due bassi e canto fermo, S 660
    Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland in organo pleno / il canto fermo nel pedale, S 661

    CD 2: Paul Fritts organ at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington
    Komm, Heiliger Geist alio modo / à 2 claviers et pédale, S 651
    Jesus Christus, unser Heiland sub communione / pedaliter, S 665
    Jesus Christus, unser Heiland alio modo, S 666
    Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr à 2 claviers et pédale / il canto fermo nel soprano, S 662
    Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr à 2 claviers et pédale / il canto fermo nel tenore, S 663
    Trio super Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr à 2 claviers et pédale, S 664
    An Wasserflüssen Babylon à 2 claviers et pédale, S 653
    O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig 3 versus, S 656
    Vor deinen Thron tret ich, S 668

  • BACH: TRIO SONATAS (2 CDS!)
    The Trio Sonatas of Johann Sebastian Bach
    performed on a diverse collection of period instruments
    Dana Maiben, violin (Nicola Amati, 1658)
    Wendy Rolfe, flute (Rod Cameron, after G.A. Rottenburgh)
    Alice Robbins, ‘cello and viola da gamba
    (Thomas Urquhart, and William Turner, respectively, after instruments from London c. 1680)
    Christa Rakich, harpsichord (French double after Blanchet by Willard Martin)

    Christa Rakich, organ (Brombaugh, Taylor/Boody, Fritts, Fisk, Richards/Fowkes, and Harrold)

    Scored for organ (or pedal clavichord), the Bach trio sonatas can be played on a variety of instruments, as Christa Rakich demonstrates in this imaginative program. Six different organs, six different organ builders, and an assortment of period chamber music instruments are used on this double-CD set!
  • IN RECITAL AT ST. MARK'S CATHEDRAL
    2000 American Guild of Organists national convention
    Seattle, WA
    Christa Rakich, organ
    This recording documents a recital given as part of the American Guild of Organists national Convention in July of 2000. Played on the landmark Flentrop organ of St. Mark’s Cathedral, Rakich’s program was among the most popular at the convention.
    Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist (BWV 671) / J. S. Bach
    Fantaisie in A (1878) / Cesar Franck
    Sonata I (1937) / Paul Hindemith
    Rio agajo rio (1999) / Pamela Decker (first performance)