Composer: John Worgan
Performer: Timothy Roberts
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Catalogue: TOCC0332
Release: 2016
Size: 300 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Organ Piece No. 8 in G Major
01. I. Andante maestoso
02. II. Fugato: Allegro
03. Organ Piece No. 4 in B-Flat Major
04. Organ Piece No. 5 in G Minor
05. Organ Piece No. 10 in F Major
Organ Piece No. 11 in C Major
06. I. Andante
07. II. Allegro
Organ Piece No. 13 in G Major
08. I. Andante e cantabile
09. II. Allegro non tanto
10. Organ Piece No. 1 in A Major
Organ Piece No. 6 in C Minor
11. I. [Adagio]
12. II. [Allegro]
Organ Piece No. 9 in C Major
13. I. Adagio
14. II. Allegretto
Organ Piece No. 7 in F Major
15. I. Siciliano: Andante moderato
16. II. Vivace ma non allegro
Organ Piece No. 12 in D Minor
17. I. Andante
18. II. Allegro non tanto
19. Organ Piece No. 3 in F Major
Organ Piece No. 14 in C Major
20. I. Andante poco larghetto
21. II. Allegrissimo
Organ Piece No. 15 in A Major
22. I. Aria poco andante
23. II. Allegro
24. Organ Piece No. 2 in F Major
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, and they are recorded here for the first time. In this recording they are performed on the organ of St Botolph’s without Aldgate, where Worgan himself was organist from 1753 until his demise – the perfect vehicle for this quirky but proud music.
Timothy Roberts has worked as solo keyboard player specialising in harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano and historic organs; as researcher and editor, particularly of English music of the 17th to 19th centuries; as continuo player, director, arranger, composer, music-setter, and as recording producer and editor. For twenty years he was principal keyboard of the Gabrieli Consort and Players. His editions have been published by Stainer & Bell, ABRSM, OUP, Fretwork Editions, Green Man Press and are in preparation from Toccata Press.