Kenneth Leighton: Complete Organ Works

Kenneth Leighton: Complete Organ Works

£20.99
Total playing time [208:06]

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Stephen Farr (organ & harpsichord)
John Butt (organ)
Chloë Hanslip (violin)
Nicky Spence (tenor)

Resonus Classics is proud to present a major new recording of the complete organ works of the British twentieth-century composer Kenneth Leighton (1929–1988). With vivid interpretations, acclaimed organ virtuoso Stephen Farr breathes new life into this highly significant part of the composer’s output, recorded on the organs of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Symphony Hall in Birmingham and St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge, London.

This three-disc set also includes all of his collaborative works for the instrument as well as Leighton’s only work for solo harpsichord. Joining Farr in collaborative works for this comprehensive survey are John Butt (organ), Chloë Hanslip (violin) and Nicky Spence (tenor) . Completing the set is Leighton's only solo work for harpsichord, which here receives its first recording.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

DISC ONE

Six Fantasies on Hymn Tunes, Op. 72
1. Helmsley
2. Aus der Tiefe (Heinlien)
3. Lumetto
4. St Columba (Erin)
5. Veni Emmanuel
6. Toccata on Hanover

7. Martyrs: Dialogues on a Scottish Psalm-tune, Op. 73

8. Improvisation in memoriam Maurice de Sausmarez

Missa de Gloria (Dublin Festival Mass), Op. 82
9. Kyrie
10. Gloria
11. Credo
12. Sanctus
13. Agnus Dei
14. Ite, Missa est

DISC TWO

1. Festival Fanfare

Et Resurrexit (Theme, Fantasy & Fugue), Op. 49
2. Theme
3. Fantasy
4. Fugue

5. These Are Thy Wonders (A Song of Renewal), Op. 84 *
for organ & tenor

6. Veni Creator Spiritus

Prelude, Scherzo & Passacaglia, Op. 41
7. Prelude
8. Scherzo
9. Passacaglia

1. Paean

2. Elegy

3. Ode

Fantasy on a Chorale ‘Es ist genug’, Op. 80
for violin & organ
4. Es ist genug
5. Herr, wenn ed dir gefällt
6. So spanne mich doch aus
7. Ich fahre sicher hin mit Frieden
8. Es ist genug

9. Rockingham

10. Fanfare

11. Veni Redemptor (A Celebration), Op. 93

Improvisations ‘De profundis’, Op. 76 *
for harpsichord
12. Molto Adagio e con fantasia
13. Allegro e ritmico
14. Presto e leggiero
15. Appassionato
16. Più sostenuto e molto espressivo
17. Molto statico e misurato

* World premiere recording

“

'This is a major achievement. Stephen Farr triumphs in his massive survey of the output of Kenneth Leighton, a towering figure in British 20th-century liturgical music [...] Highlights are too numerous to mention'

- The Observer (5 stars)

'Farr's unswerving authority, scrupulous phrasing and rhythmic playing make this a revelation'
BBC Music Magazine

'This is a major achievement. Stephen Farr triumphs in his massive survey of the output of Kenneth Leighton, a towering figure in British 20th-century liturgical music [...] Highlights are too numerous to mention'
The Observer (5 stars)

'[...] there are a healthy sprinkling of offerings on this hugely nourishing 3-CD set that likewise operate on the highest plane of inspiration. Both the Prelude, Scherzo and Passacaglia (1963) and Et Resurrexit (Theme, Fantasy & Fugue) from 1966 generate a formidable organic power and cumulative thrust in Stephen Farr's deeply understanding renderings [...] In a word: essential.'
Classical Ear (5 stars)

'The enterprising Resonus label plugs another hole in the market with a most intriguing collection. Farr is on inspirational form in repertoire that deserves to be much better known'
Classical Music Magazine (5 stars)

'the recordings are exceptional both for the clarity of detail and for the immediacy of the sound'
Gramophone

'The performance of all this music is ideal. I [...] felt that Stephen Farr, John Butt, Chloë Hanslip (violin) and Nick Spence (tenor) have done a splendid job in performing this important repertoire. Clearly, the lion’s share of these three CDs has fallen to Stephen Farr. It is a stunning achievement. The sound quality of the recording is perfect: it makes the listener feel they are present at the venues. No better compliment can be paid. '
MusicWeb International

'Stephen Farr gives wonderful performances throughout. Once again a variety of organs adds interest to what is already a very valuable collection. Highly recommended.'
Lark Reviews

'Stephen Farr is our admirable guide to the riches of this set, playing with an engaging feel for the structural complexity, tough harmonies and lyricism which is Kenneth Leighton's distinctive voice.'
Planet Hugill

Credits
© 2017 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2017 Resonus LImited
Catalogue No. RES10178
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262790830
Cover image: Edinburgh by Yiannis Theologos Michellis (Creative Commons)