Arnold Cooke: Organ Music
The music of Arnold Cooke, born in Yorkshire in 1906, had already fallen into neglect by the time of his death 99 years later. Cooke was a prolific composer, with two operas, six symphonies, numerous concertos and a generous amount of chamber music to his credit – nor did he neglect the organ, as this album of his major organ pieces reveals. Cooke’s style owes much to his teacher, Hindemith, not least since both men were natural contrapuntists, although there are also points of contact with Bartók and Shostakovich, and occasional touches of Walton’s ceremonial sparkle and no-nonsense grandeur.
Tom Winpenny, organ of St Albans Cathedral
Listen To This Recording:
- I Allegro moderato
- II Andante
- III Allegro con brio
- Poco lento – Allegro
- Prelude (Allegro)
- Intermezzo (Andante)
- Finale (Allegro moderato)
- Sarabande, D34
- Toccata (Allegro moderato)
- Aria (Andante)
- I Chaconne (Moderato)
- II Allegro vivace
- III Andante
- IV Jig (Allegro con brio)
- Impromptu, D105
- Prelude for Tudeley, D166
- I Fantasia (Allegro moderato)
- II Aria (Lento)
- III Scherzo (Vivace)
- IV Finale (Allegro)
Sonata No. 1 in G, D118 (1971)*
Fantasia, D95 (1962)*
Prelude, Intermezzo and Finale, D87 (1962)*
Sarabande, D34 (1960–61)
Toccata and Aria, D104 (1966)
Suite in G, D167 (1989)
Impromptu, D105 (1966)
Prelude for Tudeley, D166 (1989)
Sonata No. 2 in E, D146 (1980)
FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘Tom Winpenny has become one of the leading organists on record. His expertise and technical command is clear in every bar of this recording, in stimulating and absorbing performances. […]
The recording, engineered by Andrew Post, is ideal. It is clear and resonant, allowing the listener to gain a sense of “being there”. […]
Arnold Cooke’s music is a subtle fusion of German technique with a largely English sensibility. It is a perfect synthesis of styles.’
—John France, MusicWeb International
Fanfare :
‘{…}Ideal performances, ideally recorded, amply documented, on a generously filled disc. This music cries out for addition to the record collection of every organ aficionado, and to the repertory of every organist.’
—Fanfare
Art Music Lounge :
‘As usual, Cooke has a firm grasp on the musical structure, but its harmonic audacity is so arresting that it’s what impacts you most on first hearing.
Moreover, the enthusiasm that Cooke himself obviously put into writing these scores is redoubled by the playing of Tom Winpenny. […]
Cooke knew what he was doing and was nobody’s fool. It is to his credit that not one of these pieces, not even the very short ones like the Sarabande, Impromptu and Prelude for Tudeley, are mindless trifles. Whether short or long, Cooke invested his full emotional and intellectual faculties into writing his music. He meant for it to last.
A very interesting album, then, particularly for organ-lovers.’
—Lynn René Bayley, Art Music Lounge
British Music Society :
‘As one would expect, all this finely crafted music is well served by Tom Winpenny and the St Albans organ. Moreover, at over 80 minutes, the CD is very good value. […] Accordingly, everything is highly commendable: the music, the performance, the recording, and the presentation.’
—Martin Stafford, British Music Society