Transformations – music for organ
Three major organ works: one from Liszt, one of the masters of high Romanticism and bubbling virtuosity; the powerful Heroic Sonata of Jongen and the first commercial recording of the delicately figured piece ‘The Dancing Pipes’ by Jonathan Dove, one of today’s most appreciated composers. This superb program is titled ‘Transformations’ as each piece contains musical transformations of themes; it also reflects the transformation of the fine Harrison & Harrison organ at Cheltenham College Chapel – this is its first recording since a full restoration in 2017.
Alexander Ffinch studied at the Royal College of Music and was organ scholar at Keble College Oxford. He gave over 100 recitals as resident organist at Lancaster Town Hall and continues to undertake a busy concert and broadcasting schedule (sadly his planned August 2019 debut at Notre Dame Paris is ‘on hold’). Alexander was appointed College Organist at Cheltenham in 2004 since when he has played daily in the Chapel as well as giving regular recitals; he oversaw the 2017 restoration and manages the work of both students and visiting recitalists.
Track Listing
-
Joseph Jongen (1873-1953):
- Sonata Eroica (19:12) Jonathan Dove (b. 1959):
- The Dancing Pipes (10:11) Franz Liszt (1811-1886):Fantasia and Fugue on the chorale 'Ad nos, ad salutarem undam, S.259
- I. Moderato (10:23)
- II. Recitativo - Adagio (9:23
- III. Adagio - Allegro deciso - Fuga (12:54
Reviews
“An excellent recital of organ music… an exciting and welcome addition, an interesting collection of pieces, exhilaratingly played. I particularly enjoyed his performance of the Jongen, and the Dove is wonderful. The organ is captured at its best by the recording, and the notes are also very good.
” —Stuart Sillitoe
“This is an important recording in many ways. Superbly played and recorded; played with attention to detail and opportunities for ‘orchestral’ colour changes.
” —Julian Elloway
“Richly detailed, powerfully driven and suitably extrovert performance… a very fine recording.
” —Marc Rochester
“This is one of the finest recordings of an organ I have heard for some time, the microphone placing being absolutely perfect. ffinch’s interpretative insight is splendid – genuine performances from a manifestly gifted musician. This disc is very strongly recommended.” (FIVE STARS)
” —Robert Matthew-Walker
“There’s something pleasingly ethereal about [the Jongen]… The Dove sparkles. [The Liszt] is orchestral and theatrical in sound, and played tightly.
” —Jeremy Condliffe
“Alexander Ffinch gives a vibrant performance of Jongen’s Sonata. ‘Dancing Pipes’ is played with excitement and a sense of drama and attention to registration which provides colour to this compulsive piece. [In the Liszt] Ffinch presents a convincing and satisfying account of a work regarded by many as being one of the masterpieces of nineteenth-century organ music. An enormously satisfying CD. The playing overall is ideal, and the sound quality is well-balanced.
” —John France
“Alexander Ffinch puts Cheltenham College Chapel’s organ through its paces in fine style. Its symphonic heft is vividly felt…[he plays] with the agility of an Olympic slalom skier.
” —Michael Quinn
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