English Organ Music, Vol. 2

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Cat No: 8550773

Release Date: 12 January 1999

Label: Naxos - Nxc / Naxos Classics

Packaging Type: Jewel Case

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 4891030507739

Genres: Classical

Composer/Series: English Organ Music, Vol. 2

Description
ENGLISH ORGAN MUSIC 2Edward Elgar (1857-1934)Sonata No.2 in B Flat Major, Op. 87a(from Severn Suite, arr. Ivor Atkins)Hubert Parry (1848-1918)Choral Fantasia on an old English tuneEdward Elgar(1857-1934)Cantique, Op. 3Herbert Howells (1892-1983)Siciliano for a High CeremonyPercy Whitlock (1903-1945)Plymouth SuiteRalph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)3 Preludes on Welsh Hymn TunesHerbert Sumsion (b. 1899)Intermezzo / Ceremonial MarchThe music on this recording is taken from the vast corpus of organ musicwritten by West Country composers during the twentieth century. Elgar was neverin the forefront of organ composers, even though he had himself been organist atSt. George's Catholic Church in Worcester. His one major contribution to therepertoire had been the symphonic-style Sonata in G, which had been written forperformance in Worcester Cathedral in 1895. Cantique was dedicated to HughBlair, organist of the Cathedral, who had given the first performance of theSonata. It is an unpretentious piece, which had first appeared as a movement inan early Suite for Wind Band. Elgar arranged it for the organ in 1912. Elgar'sso-called Second Sonata is actually a transcription by his friend -and successorof Blair-Ivor Atkins. The movements represent Worcester Castle (a nobleintroduction): a Street Fair and Tournament (here given the sale ecclesiasticaltitle of Toccata); Worcester Cathedral - a reflective fugal movement, which didhave its origins as an organ piece; a cadenza, written by Atkins with Elgar'sapproval, leading to are turn of the grand opening theme. The Sonata was firstheard in London in 1933.By contrast Parry was a fairly prolific writer for the organ. Some of hisworks for the instrument are among the most significant of the time, bearingfavourable comparison with their European counterparts. The Three ChoralFantasies, dating from 1915, have been described as Parry's 'most perfect workfor the instrument'. The middle of the three is a beautiful elaboration of thedignified little masterpiece from the 18th century - the hymn tune Eltham,associated with the words 'When I survey the wondrous Cross'.Herbert Howells had received his early training from the organist ofGloucester Cathedral and, although he never claimed to be a proficient executant,it is not surprising that, with his particular gifts of flexible, expressivewriting, he should frequently turn to the organ in his compositions. Sicilianofor a High Ceremony, written for a wedding in 1953, is typical of hisdistinctive style and feelings for dance forms of an earlier period.Percy Whitlock comes from a rather different background, his work tending tobe associated more with the 'concert organ'. He was a very distinguishedrecitalist, who spent the last fourteen years of his short life as boroughorganist at Bournemouth, but he was also much appreciated as a composer ofapproachable music for the organ. The Plymouth Suite, written during the late1930s, is typical of his writing; it consists of five movement
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