Harri AHMAS: Organ Music
As Principal Bassoon in the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Harri Ahmas (b. 1957) is one of Finland’s most highly regarded orchestral musicians. But he is also the composer of a substantial body of music, including four symphonies, eight concertos, much chamber music and a generous number of works for wind band. Some grandiose and powerful music for organ is threaded through his composing career, too, much of it composed for the musician who plays it here, Jan Lehtola.
Petri Komulainen, horn (Tracks 1-4)
Jan Lehtola, organ of St Paul’s Church, Helsinki (Tracks 1–4); organ of Turku Cathedral (Tracks 5-10)
Listen To This Recording:
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Four Bagatelles for horn and organ (2004)
- I Veloce
- II Semplice
- III Capriccio
- IV Giocoso
- Chorale
- Fughetta
- Hymnus interruptus
- I Moderato
- II Quasi passacaglia
- III Lento
Chorale e Fughetta (1980)
Hymnus interruptus (2013)
Sonata for Organ (2015)
FIRST RECORDINGS
BBC Music Magazine :
‘A welcome introduction to the Finnish composer whose organ music echoes Petr Eben’s angular tonalism. The organ’s clean, immediate sound adds brilliant clarity. The sonata deserves wide currency.’
—BBC Music Magazine
Choir & Organ :
‘Ahmas’s music is exciting and engaging – the opening Veloce (one of Four bagatelles for horn and organ) has all the fantastical energy and sonority reminiscent of Jean Guillou.’
—Choir & Organ
Fanfare :
‘While this is not a disc for the general organ listener, it will certainly be of interest to anybody interested in contemporary Finnish music or contemporary organ music of this stylistic character. Lehtola’s total commitment and understanding of this repertoire is never in doubt’
—Fanfare