RaLPh Vaughan Williams: Bursts Of Acclamation - Complete Organ Works And Transcriptions

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Cat No: ALBCD021-022

Release Date: 01 June 2015

Label: Albion Records

Packaging Type: Brilliant Case (Jewel Case size, Holds 2 CDs)

No of Units: 2

Barcode: 5060158190218

Genres: Classical Solo Instrumental

Description

Albion Records presents David Briggs's 2014 double CD recording, with all the works written for organ by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and transcriptions (including the Tallis Fantasia) by David Briggs, Peter Beardsley, Herbert Sumsion, Henry Ley and others, made on the restored 1912 Walker organ of Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon. This includes ten world-première recordings.

At the age of 17, David Briggs obtained his FRCO (Fellow of the Royal College of Organists) diploma, winning all the prizes and the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. From 1981–84 he was the Organ Scholar at King's College, Cambridge University, subsequently holding positions at Hereford, Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals. He is currently Artist-in-Residence at St James Cathedral, Toronto. A prolific composer, his works range from full scale oratorios to works for solo instruments.

Reviews

The largest of the original works is the Prelude and Fugue in C minor of 1921-30, a rather prolix work, which caused the composer a good deal of trouble, and lies awkwardly under the hands and feet. However, its gritty, acerbic difficulties melt away under David Briggs's effortless poise; he tackles it head-on, allegro con fuoco, and makes a convincing case for its elusive merits. Brigg's new transcription of the Wasps Overture is a real sparkler and he knows exactly how to pace Peter Beardsley's take on the Tallis Fantasia, imbuing it with a sheen of glorious string tone. The generously disposed three-manual J W Walker organ of 1912 in Wimbledon's Sacred Heart Church is the ideal choice for this Romantic programme. The full organ is used sparingly and even then never overpoweringly. --Malcolm Riley, Gramophone Magazine, October 2015

It's a cause for celebration that one of the world's finest organists should apply his virtuosity to Vaughan Williams's glorious compositions. David Briggs's lovingly crafted performances give us music-making of the highest order. Coupled with the magnificent sounds of the vintage Walker organ at Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon, this is a CD to treasure. --Christopher Nickol, Gramophone Magazine – Critic's Choice – December 2015

This issue will naturally be a goldmine for organ buffs, yet it has been expertly devised to have a wider appeal. With one exception, most of the original works are non-vintage Vaughan Williams; the exception is the Prelude and Fugue in C minor - composed for formidable master-organist Henry Ley, and easily impressive enough to stand alongside other classic works of its kind in the repertory. --Malcolm Hayes, BBC Music Magazine, October 2015

H.G. Ley's sensitive transcription of the atmospheric slow movement of the Sea Symphony (On the Beach at Night, Alone) is beautifully played, showing the depth of tone of this organ to good effect, while the Tallis Fantasia, though quintessentially string music, is given an amazingly successful transcription by the American organist Peter Beardsley, and here the organ's lush tone, including a velvety Full Swell, and the availability of two enclosed departments are a considerable help. --Marcus Huxley, Organists Review, December 2015

Just under 36 minutes of original organ music and 78 minutes of transcriptions (+?Ley's Fantasia) make up this release, but it must be said that the 16 pages of excellent notes are almost worth the price of the discs by themselves. --Records International, September 2016
Tracklisting