Organ Symphonies nos.1-4

Like much of Michael Finnissy's music, they make ferocious demands on player and listener, and on first sight the scores are daunting. But they are difficult for a reason, and the rewards to be reaped from careful study of these works will be considerable . . . But those who lament the 'exclusion' of the organ from the mainstream of contemporary musical life should take heart that a composer of Finnissy's eminence has added works of such significance to its repertoire.

Autorentext
Michael Finnissy was born in Tulse Hill, London in 1946 and studied at the Royal College of Music. He later studied in Italy with Roman Vlad. He went on to create the music department of the London School of Contemporary Dance, and has been associated as composer with many notable British dance companies. He has also been musician in residence to the Victorian College of the Arts, the City of Caulfield in Australia, and the East London Late Starters Orchestra. In 1999 he was made Professor of Composition at the University of Southampton. Finnissy has been featured composer at the Bath, Huddersfield and Almeida festivals, amongst others, and his works are widely performed and broadcast worldwide. Recordings are available on various labels, notably NMC and Metier; the latter has released a cycle of CDs to great critical acclaim.

Zusammenfassung
This set of four solo organ 'symphonies' is full of colour and draws on stylistic influences ranging from the late Baroque to Mahler. The individual pieces have a flexible approach to registration but give advice on the intended style, allowing a range of interpretation and enjoyment for performer and listener alike. Available to buy as a set or individually.