Album insights
Christopher Herrick and Hyperion embarked on a global journey inspired by the "Fireworks Program," capturing remarkable organ repertoire on various impressive instruments. The pivotal project proposed to Ted Perry by the founder of Hyperion led to an evening recording at Westminster Abbey, amidst unexpected bell rehearsals at the adjacent St. Margaret's church. Despite prior recordings with different labels, the Westminster Abbey CD for Hyperion sparked a fruitful collaboration, resulting in numerous recordings, including Bach's complete organ works and historical instrument pieces by Daquin and Sweelinck.
The concept of an "organ fireworks" speaks for itself, evoking an impressive, radiant, and optimistic atmosphere throughout various pieces. This pioneering program, the first of a successful series, perfectly embodies this spirit. French composers featured on the CD were organists' sons, with Guilmant and Widor representing dynastic traditions spanning generations. Notably, Joseph Bonnet, a key Guilmant disciple, contributed significantly to French organ music's evolution and promotion of early music through his works and concert performances around the world.
From Percy Whitlock's English organ compositions to Widor's symphonies, each piece resonates uniquely with the grandeur of the late 19th-century English organ at Westminster Abbey. These musical gems showcase the talents of composers like Alfred Herbert Brewer, steeped in English cathedral traditions, and Marius Monnikendam, a revered Dutch composer known for his vibrant organ compositions. David Johnson, a Texan-born organist, skillfully integrates trombone melodies in his compositions, rendering them in diatonic harmonies, echoing baroque and classical influences.
The life and legacy of Charles-Marie Widor mirror Guilmant's journey, both hailing from esteemed organist families and excelling in the Parisian organ scene. Moving through Symphonies and lively finales, Widor's musical genius furthered organ music's vibrancy beyond the church setting. Similarly, Simon Preston, an eminent English concert organist, showcased his prowess in compositions like "Alleluyas," reflecting his bold, improvisational style reminiscent of Messiaen's influence. Egil Hovland, a notable Norwegian composer, infused diverse styles and techniques into his organ works, culminating in the Toccata "Nun lasst uns alle Gott danken," a fitting closure to this dynamic CD, encapsulating a whirlwind of musical artistry.