Britten: Choral Works [Import]

Track Listings

1. Pprocession / A Ceremony Of Carols

2. Wolcum Yole ! / A Ceremony Of Carols

3. There Is No Rose / A Ceremony Of Carols

4. That Yonge Child / A Ceremony Of Carols

5. Balulalow / A Ceremony Of Carols

6. As Dew In Aprille / A Ceremony Of Carols

7. This Little Babe / A Ceremony Of Carols

8. Interlude / A Ceremony Of Carols

9. In Freezing Winter Night / A Ceremony Of Carols

10. Spring Carol / A Ceremony Of Carols

11. Deo Gracias - Adam Ibounden / A Ceremony Of Carols

12. Recession / A Ceremony Of Carols

13. Rejoice In God, O Ye Tongues Rejoice In The Lamb

14. For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffry Rejoice In The Lamb

15. For The Mouse... Rejoice In The Lamb

16. For The Flowers Are Great Blessings Rejoice In The Lamb

17. For I Am Under The Same Accusations Rejoice In The Lamb

18. For H Is A Spirit Rejoice In The Lamb

19. Hallelujah Rejoice In The Lamb

20. Theme:A Boy Was Born / A Boy Was Born

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Tracks:

Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Battle On The Fifth Tone
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Capriccio
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Grand Chorus With Thunder
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Sonata For Organ In The Guise Of A Military Band
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Bolero de Concert
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Elevation
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: On The Rhine
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Gargoyles & Chimeras
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Prelude & Fugue in C Major
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Carillion
Gargoyles And Chimeras: Exotic Works For Organ: Carillion Op 27 No. 4

Customer Reviews:

Weird But Wonderful Organ Music! .......2006-01-31

This CD offers a generous (73+ minutes) sampling of "exotic" works for organ played by David Britton on the 1987 Rosales organ (3 manuals, 87 ranks) in the Trinity Episcopal Church of Portland, Oregon. Though the works are not in the mainstream of organ music, nearly all were written by very reputable composers, offering some degree of quality assurance. Thus we find the pieces not insanely quirky, though unusual in one way or another. The organ used is a fine, then brand-new, instrument and it is played very well by Mr. Britton, who has the musical background and talent needed to bring these esoteric works to life.

The first piece, "Battle on the Fifth Tone," is by the little-known 17th century Portuguese composer, Diogo de Conceiao. In an area torn by frequent wars battle pieces were not uncommon then, though such programmatic descriptions are less often encountered today. (Don't forget Tchaikovsky's Overture of 1812 with its cannonfire, though.) The music is very listenable, with fine full organ sounds and pungent reeds playing occasional bugle calls. The numerous florid scale passages remind us of Gabrieli's organ "intonations." Overall a very nice piece of Iberian period music.

Next is early capriccio by J.S. Bach with the odd title "On the Departure to Distant Climes of his Dearly Beloved Brother" BWV 992, wherein he tried to convince his older brother not to venture off to Poland to play oboe in a band. The programmatic piece consists of 6 parts in varying moods to portray feelings associated with the departure, and young Bach's manuscript contains errors and/or awkwardnesses which surprise us today, steeped as we are in our conception of Bach the consummate Baroque master. (Mr. Britton, in his arrangement, corrects only the most obvious errors in order to let the vulnerabilities of the young genius come through.)

Michel Corette's 18th century "Grand Chorus with Thunder" is a nature piece, of course. To contrive the thunder he prescribes a plank to be placed across the bottom octave of the pedals, and the effect of this low-pitched tone cluster is striking. The music, other than the thunder, is fine and characteristic. (Compare the storm scene in Grofe's 20th century "Grand Canyon Suite" for orchestra.)

Gherardeschi's "Sonata for Organ in the Guise of a Military Band Which Plays a March" sounds like a fairly typical 18th century march until we hear the nightingale's call (imitated by the organ's Rossignol stop: two pipes in water). (Compare Resphighi's "Pines of Rome" featuring a recording of the nightingale's song.) It is a rather charming antique by an unfamiliar composer, about whom the liner notes tell us nothing.

Lefebure-Wely's name will be recognized by organ-lovers, though his reputation as a serious composer may be slight. Still, the "Bolero de Concert" is a very pleasing bit of dance music, in which reeds sound characteristic Spanish motifs that yield to a lovely flute-like interlude before returning. His "Elevation" is a sober and dignified piece fully in keeping with its liturgical function.

Louis Vierne is a well-known and highly respected writer for the organ, who presided over that instrument at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris during the early 20th century. His 24 fantasy pieces include "On the Rhine" and "Gargoyles and Chimeras." The former is a suitably majestic and impressive evocation of the historic river, recalling Wagner's "Rheingold" but, even more, Smetana's "Moldau." It's a fine piece, well-played. The latter is an appropriately spooky portrayal of the fierce and fantastic creatures peering down from the cathedral roof to scare away evil spirits: great Halloween music!

Saint-Saens needs no introduction. His "Prelude and Fugue in C Major," opus 109, reflect the enormous talent and versatility of this accomplished pianist, organist, and composer of 19th century Paris. I don't know why this work was included, for it seems not at all strange or exotic, just very fine French music.

The 20th century American, Leo Sowerby, likewise is familiar to organ music lovers. His "Carillon" is a lovely, coloristic tonepiece, which after a dreamy introduction presents a simple, repetitive bell-like pattern to evoke the carillon for which it is named. Toward the end actual handbells join in to echo the bell theme. It is overall a sweet, gentle, and nostalgic piece.

In contrast, Marcel Dupre's "Carillon," opus 27, no. 4, is a much more active, vigorous, and robust presentation of the bells. The piece grips you with its energy and excitement and carries you along relentlessly toward its grand and thrilling climax. Along the way some stretches of machine-like repetition seem to give a foretaste of today's minimalism.

I recommend this CD highly to those who have a particular interest in organ music or in unusual, exotic, or especially fantastic, imaginative pieces presented in a colorful and exciting way. Since it can be had at a surprisingly low price, you'll surely get your money's worth!

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1. Pprocession / A Ceremony Of Carols
2. Wolcum Yole ! / A Ceremony Of Carols
3. There Is No Rose / A Ceremony Of Carols
4. That Yonge Child / A Ceremony Of Carols
5. Balulalow / A Ceremony Of Carols
6. As Dew In Aprille / A Ceremony Of Carols
7. This Little Babe / A Ceremony Of Carols
8. Interlude / A Ceremony Of Carols
9. In Freezing Winter Night / A Ceremony Of Carols
10. Spring Carol / A Ceremony Of Carols
11. Deo Gracias - Adam Ibounden / A Ceremony Of Carols
12. Recession / A Ceremony Of Carols
13. Rejoice In God, O Ye Tongues Rejoice In The Lamb
14. For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffry Rejoice In The Lamb
15. For The Mouse... Rejoice In The Lamb
16. For The Flowers Are Great Blessings Rejoice In The Lamb
17. For I Am Under The Same Accusations Rejoice In The Lamb
18. For H Is A Spirit Rejoice In The Lamb
19. Hallelujah Rejoice In The Lamb
20. Theme:A Boy Was Born / A Boy Was Born