Kenneth Leighton: Complete Organ Works

Kenneth Leighton: Complete Organ Works

Regular price $26.15
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

'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)