John Gardner: Complete Organ Music, Volume Two
The English composer John Gardner (1917–2011) played the organ from an early age; his first work to be published was for the organ, and he wrote for the instrument throughout his long life. His music, whether secular or sacred, is characterised by a rhythmic vivacity and technical command informed by his fondness for jazz, Renaissance and Baroque procedures and classical counterpoint – and the spirit of dance is often close to hand. Its quirky and distinctive personality is a mirror of the man: Gardner’s gruff, slightly formal manner barely hid a mischievous sense of humour, flashes of which can be glimpsed even in his more serious works. Above all, his musical language is honest and emotionally direct, as he was.
Tom Winpenny, organ of Christchurch Priory
Listen To This Recording:
- Wedding March, Op. 17 (1952) (5:07)
- High Heaven Fantasy, Op. 151 (1980) (11:16)
- Prelude on Dominus Regit Me, Op. 127 (1975) (3:21)
Variations and Fugue on Sine Nomine, Op. 128 (1975) (17:56)
- Theme. Lento – (0:53)
- Variation 1, L’istessto tempo (0:51)
- Variation 2 – (0:58)
- Variation 3, – (0:52)
- Variation 4, – (0:59)
- Variation 5, Meno mosso con rubato espressivo – (1:27)
- Variation 6, Poco più mosso – (0:55)
- Variation 7, Adagio molto ma flessibile – (1:44)
- Variation 8, Allegro molto – (0:17)
- Variation 9, – (0:29)
- Variation 10, – (0:38)
- Variation 11, – (1:30)
- Variation 12, Finale fugato (6:23)
- Interlude, Op. 143 (1978) (2:31)
Introduction, Ground and Coda, Op. 28 (Old Series; 1936) (9:46)
- I. Introduction (2:05)
- II. Ground – (6:04)
- III. Coda (1:37)
- Coronation Postlude, Op. 40 (Old Series; 1937) (2:08)
- Fantasy on Byrd’s Non Nobis, Op. 30 (1955) (3:34)
Five Dances for Organ, Op. 179 (1988)* (17:17)
- No. 1, Lavolta (2:02)
- No. 2, Pavin (3:45)
- No. 3, Jig (4:28)
- No. 4, Lament (3:44)
- No. 5, Fling (3:18)
All Except * First Recordings
The British Music Society :
‘Last July I had the pleasure of reviewing the first volume of John Gardner’s complete organ music and concluded by stating that I looked forward to the second volume. I have not been disappointed.
At the time I was puzzled by the fact that so much worthwhile music had not been made available before. […]
This [album] is most welcome, since it significantly adds to the composer’s stature as one of the most distinctive British composers of organ music of the 20th century.
Tom Winpenny gives polished and committed performances of this music, as he does with everything that he commits to disc. His ability to bring unfamiliar music to life is extraordinary and Toccata Classics are to be commended for their policy of treating the organ and its repertoire as a mainstream instrument. An excellent release which reflects great credit on all concerned.’
—Martyn Strachan, The British Music Society