John WORGAN: Complete Organ Music
The organist and harpsichordist John Worgan (1724–90) was one of the most highly respected musicians in the London of his day: Handel admired his playing, and Burney described him as ‘very masterly and learned’. Worgan was the organist of Vauxhall Gardens and of a number of London churches and naturally composed for his own instruments. Most of his music is lost, but his fifth son, James Worgan, also a musician, had fifteen of his father’s organ pieces published after his death. Here they are performed on the organ of St Botolph’s without Aldgate (perhaps England’s oldest surviving church organ), where Worgan himself was organist from 1753 until his demise – the perfect vehicle for this quirky but proud music.
Timothy Roberts, Organ
Listen To This Recording:
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Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 8 in G major: I Andante maiestoso Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 8 in G major: II Fugato: Allegro Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 4 in B flat major: Andante Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 5 in G minor: Andante Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 10 in F major: Andante Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 11 in C major: I Andante Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 11 in C major: II Allegro Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 13 in G major: I Andante e cantabile Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 13 in G major: II Allegro non tanto Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 1 in A major: Larghetto Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 6 in C minor: I [Adagio] Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 6 in C minor: II [Allegro] Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 9 in C major: I Adagio Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 9 in C major: II Allegretto Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 7 in F major: I Siciliano: Andante moderato Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 7 in F major: II Vivace ma non allegro Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 12 in D minor: I Andante Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 12 in D minor: II Allegro non tanto Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 3 in F major: Andante Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 14 in C major: I Andante poco Larghetto Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 14 in C major: II Allegrissimo Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 15 in A major: I Aria poco Andante Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 15 in A major: II Allegro Audio Player
- Organ Piece No. 2 in F major: Allegro con spirito
MusicWeb International :
‘Timothy Roberts specialises in playing the harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano and historic organs. He gives solo recitals as well as playing continuo. On the scholarly side, Roberts is a researcher and editor, particularly of English music of the 17th to 19th centuries. Recently he has acted as recording producer and sound editor.
I loved the ambience of this recording. St Botolph without Aldgate is a church that I know quite well: I used to visit quite often when I was working in London. The CD is true to the outstanding sound of this historic instrument.
It is of considerable importance to have this CD of the complete organ works of John Worgan played on this particular instrument. As noted above, Worgan was organist here for many years. So, it is a supremely important historical production. I hope that this disc may be the first of a number exploring the music of this important composer.’
—John France, MusicWeb International
Fanfare Magazine :
‘[the works] have an able champion here in famed organist and musicologist Timothy Roberts, […]. the instrument is a very fine one indeed, with a light, crisp tonal palette. The recording is made with ideal clarity; Roberts’s booklet notes are highly informative, […]. Complete specifications of the organ are provided. If you are a fan of 18th-century organ literature, do not hesitate to snap up this disc without delay; warmly recommended.’
—James A. Altena, Fanfare Magazine, June 2016