Great Britain plays a central role among dozens of venues I enjoy visiting and performing at annually. The grand tradition of British organ music has long been celebrated through its majestic spaces, histor-ic instruments, and the artistry of those who bring them to life. This unique two-CD collection, British Organ Majesty, offers an extraordinary journey through five remarkable venues, each home to an organ of distinctive character and history. From the grandeur of Hull City Hall and Huddersfield Town Hall to the sacred resonance of Blackburn Cathedral, the elegance of St Stephen’s Walbrook in the heart of London, and the rich heritage of Centenary Methodist Church, Boston, this album showcases a pano-rama of organ artistry across time and place.
Each of these instruments tells a story shaped by centuries of craftsmanship, restoration, and innova-tion. The towering symphonic organs of municipal halls stand alongside the sacral yet no less expres-sive church and cathedral organs, demonstrating the evolution of British organ building from the 19th century to the present day. The sheer variety of tonal palettes—from bold, commanding reeds to ethe-real strings and shimmering flutes—allows for an exploration of colour, drama, and virtuosity unlike any other. This recording is not just a showcase of music but also an immersive encounter with the unique acoustics and atmospheres of these five exceptional spaces. Whether through the commanding power of a full orchestral registration or the delicate beauty of a softly whispered phrase, each track reveals new dimensions of these extraordinary instruments.
Except for the transcription of Beethoven’s Allegro con brio from the 5th Symphony in C Minor (Op. 67) and Lefébure-Wély’s Sortie in E flat Major from L’Organiste moderne (11/1), the majority of re-cordings show unique improvisations performed spontaneously on musical themes and motives that are well-known and easily recognisable. The recordings were made live during recitals and rehearsals without repetitions or special preparation; that is why they also illustrate the spirit of performing living music in a particular space, for a particular audience, and at a particular moment in time.
This collection offers a tribute to the enduring magic of the pipe organ and the splendour of British heritage, processed through my world of sensitivity in the 19th-century musical language, artistic visions, and unrepeated emotions. May these recordings bring you inspiration, excitement, and a deeper appreciation for the majesty of the organ music.
CD 1
- 5th Symphony, Op. 67, No 5, Allegro con brio,
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) - Italian Concerto (improvisation):
Allegro-Andante-Presto - Sortie in E flat major, L’Organiste moderne (Book 11, No 1),
Louis James Alfred Lefébure-Wély (1817-1869) - Symphonic Variations „God of mercy, God of grace” (improvisation)
- Waltz in E flat Major (improvisation)
- St Stephen’s Toccata (improvisation)
- Bolero (improvisation)
- Symphonic Suite (improvisation)
- Prelude „The Lord’s my Shepherd” (Psalm 23, Crimond)
- Cantabile „Give me joy in my heart” (Sing Hosanna)
- Final „Praise to the Lord” (Lobe den Herren)
Total time: 72’23’’
CD 2
- Symphonic Poem „Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (improvisation)
- Fantasia Chromatica „Auld Lang Seine” (improvisation)
- Allegro Vivace „Adeste Fideles” (improvisation)
- Postlude „Abide With Me” (improvisation)
- Symphonic Fantasia „Jerusalem” (improvisation)
- Andante Cantabile „Greensleeves” (improvisation)
- Symphonic Fantasia „Rule Britannia!” (improvisation)
- Symphonic Variations „God Save the King” (improvisation)
Total time: 75’36’’
Recorded at St Stephen’s Walbrook, City of London (July 2022), Blackburn Cathedral (May 2024), Centenary Methodist Church, Boston (May 2024), Huddersfield Town Hall (November 2024), Hull City Hall (January 2025).
© L’Arte dell’Organo. All rights reserved.
Production: L’Arte dell’Organo (LA05, 2025).