Vincent Persichetti: Organ Music

The larger part of the organ music of the American composer Vincent Persichetti (1915–87) was composed towards the end of his life, with of some of those pieces receiving their first recordings here. Several are based on hymn tunes, which can often be heard in the background – re-emerging in glorious affirmation in the Auden Variations. On occasion the language suggests a kaleidoscopic admixture of Hindemith and Messiaen, bristling with edgy flashes of color; and Do not go gentle, an essay for pedals alone after the Dylan Thomas poem, is a statement of austere power. What these highly contrasted works have in common is complete textural clarity: Persichetti had been playing the organ since boyhood, and his writing for the instrument is that of a master. Tom Winpenny, who has already experienced much success with his organ recordings, presents Persichetti’s organ works on this new release. Tom Winpenny is Assistant Master of the Music at St Albans Cathedral where his duties include accompanying the daily choral services and directing the acclaimed Cathedral Girls Choir. His many solo organ recordings include discs of music by Peter Racine Fricker (TOCC 0518), Malcolm Williamson (TOCC 0246) and John Joubert (TOCC 0398) for Toccata Classics.