Composer: Vincent Persichetti
Performer: Tom Winpenny
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Toccata
Catalogue: TOCC0549
Release: 2020
Size: 1.42 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Peace, Op. 166 No. 41
02. Give Peace, O God, Op. 162
03. Primal, Op. 68 No. 1
Auden Variations, Op. 136
04. Chorale. Semplice
05. Var. 1, A bene placido
06. Var. 2, Affabile
07. Var. 3, Comodo
08. Var. 4, Ben articolato
09. Var. 5, Sostenuto
10. Var. 6, Gentile
11. Var. 7, Ben proclamato
12. Var. 8, Cantilena
13. Var. 9, Tranquillo
14. Var. 10, Serioso
15. Var. 11, Rigoroso
16. Var. 12, Con agilità
17. Var. 13, Risoluto
18. Parable VI, Op. 117
19. Do Not Go Gentle, Op. 132
20. Foundations, Op. 68 No. 4
Dryden Liturgical Suite, Op. 144
21. I. Prelude (By Whose Aid the World’s Foundations First Were Laid)
22. II. Response (Give Us Thyself, That We May See)
23. III. Psalm (From Sin and Sorrow Set Us Free)
24. IV. Prayer (Make Us Eternal Truths Receive)
25. V. Toccata (Inflame and Fire Our Hearts)
The larger part of the organ music of the American composer Vincent Persichetti (1915–87) was composed towards the end of his life, with some of those pieces receiving their first recordings here. Several are based on hymn tunes, which can often be heard in the background – re-emerging in glorious affirmation in the Auden Variations. On occasion the language suggests a kaleidoscopic admixture of Hindemith and Messiaen, bristling with edgy flashes of colour; and Do not go gentle, an essay for pedals alone after the Dylan Thomas poem, is a statement of austere power. What these highly contrasted works have in common is complete textural clarity: Persichetti had been playing the organ since boyhood, and his writing for the instrument is that of a master.
Tom Winpenny is Assistant Master of the Music at St Albans Cathedral where his duties include accompanying the daily choral services and directing the acclaimed Cathedral Girls Choir. His many solo organ recordings include discs of music by Peter Racine Fricker (TOCC 0518), Malcolm Williamson (TOCC 0246) and John Joubert (TOCC 0398) for Toccata Classics.