EDWARD ELGAR: Complete Organ Music
Donald Hunt, OBE
at Worcester Cathedral
“(Sonata 1) Hunt gives a very fine performance indeed and the recording is dynamic, forward and exciting…(Vesper Voluntaries) are much slighter pieces but display considerable charm throughout. Hunt is assiduous in reducing the range of timbre and dynamic of the Worcester organ to match the scale of the original smaller instrument on which they were composed….The Second Sonata was an arrangement of Elgar’s Severn Suite. Although not a true sonata in form, Ivor Atkins’ arrangement, made with the composer’s approval, works extremely well and provided a much-needed outlet at the time of the first performance in 1933. Again Hunt plays superbly …To make good length, (ALTO) has also licensed two additional tracks. Lindley’s Imperial March transcription ends the CD in fine style” (MusicWeb International)
Organ Sonata #1 in G major, Op.28[1] Allegro moderato 8:15[2] Allegretto 4:47[3] Andante espressivo 6:08[4] Presto comodo 7:19
Vesper Voluntaries, Op.14
[5] Introduction 1:30[6] Andante 1:23[7] Allegro 2:05[8] Andantino 2:04[9] Allegretto piacevole / Adagio 2:13[10] Poco lento 1:58[11] Moderato 1:36[12] Allegretto pensono 1:45[13] Poco allegro / Adagio 3:31Organ Sonata #2 in B flat, Op.87a
[14] Introduction 2:54[15] Toccata 4:28[16] Fugue 3:26[17] Cadenza 2:09[18] Coda 2:04“Nimrod” Transcription (Organ: Hugh Davies, Carlisle Cathedral)
[19] Nimrod 3:46“Imperial March” (Organ: Simon Lindley, Leeds Parish Church)
[20] Imperial March 4:55