John WORGAN: Complete Organ Music

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Catalogue No: TOCC0332
EAN/UPC: 5060113443328
Release Date: 2016-02-01
Composer: John Worgan
Artists: Timothy Roberts

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:

  1. Organ Piece No. 8 in G major: I Andante maiestoso
  2. Organ Piece No. 8 in G major: II Fugato: Allegro
  3. Organ Piece No. 4 in B flat major: Andante
  4. Organ Piece No. 5 in G minor: Andante
  5. Organ Piece No. 10 in F major: Andante
  6. Organ Piece No. 11 in C major: I Andante
  7. Organ Piece No. 11 in C major: II Allegro
  8. Organ Piece No. 13 in G major: I Andante e cantabile
  9. Organ Piece No. 13 in G major: II Allegro non tanto
  10. Organ Piece No. 1 in A major: Larghetto
  11. Organ Piece No. 6 in C minor: I [Adagio]
  12. Organ Piece No. 6 in C minor: II [Allegro]
  13. Organ Piece No. 9 in C major: I Adagio
  14. Organ Piece No. 9 in C major: II Allegretto
  15. Organ Piece No. 7 in F major: I Siciliano: Andante moderato
  16. Organ Piece No. 7 in F major: II Vivace ma non allegro
  17. Organ Piece No. 12 in D minor: I Andante
  18. Organ Piece No. 12 in D minor: II Allegro non tanto
  19. Organ Piece No. 3 in F major: Andante
  20. Organ Piece No. 14 in C major: I Andante poco Larghetto
  21. Organ Piece No. 14 in C major: II Allegrissimo
  22. Organ Piece No. 15 in A major: I Aria poco Andante
  23. Organ Piece No. 15 in A major: II Allegro
  24. Organ Piece No. 2 in F major: Allegro con spirito

2 reviews for John WORGAN: Complete Organ Music

  1. :

    ‘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

  2. :

    ‘[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

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