Toccata, Trio und Passacaglia (1980)

At the time of writing Toccata, Trio & Passacaglia, after a period devoted to serial techniques in composition, traditional forms were being taken into consideration again. This composition reflects the composer’s desire to write a piece entirely by intuition (immediately perceived by the mind without the intervention of stylistic reasoning). The gestural extremes move from eruptive virtuosity to stability, evocative of the fine art of improvisation. Toccata, Trio & Passacaglia was premièred by the composer at the 2nd International Organ Festival in Munich in 1981. The UK première took place at St Marylebone Parish Church London during the 2007 AFNOM Festival.

Duration: 22mins
Available from: the composer
Price: £8.50

Listen to the composer performing Toccata, Trio und Passacaglia on 13th October 2007 at St Marylebone Parish Church

3ème Sonata pour Grand Orgue (2004)

Pythagoras founded his philosophy on mysticism and arithmetical speculations. All terms were assigned numbers symbolizing the Divine and the origin of thought. The 3ème Sonata’s form is derived directly from this series, providing a syntax from which thoughts are formulated. Rhythm is of particular importance in this composition, involving the superimposition of rhythms to form rhythmic counterpoint. My studies in Gregorian semiology and palaeography (neumes) have also played a part in its conception. The application of post-modern serialism has emerged into a style which is discrete but continuous, and moves simultaneously in multiple layers. The definition ‘serialism’ or ‘stochastic music’ is not to be understood within the classical constraints of its terms, but more an attempt to define a new concept of form, realizing the necessity to formulate a post-dodecaphonic musical language based on intuition and compositional experience (Empirical music). The ‘universe of numbers’ (described by Dom Mocquereau) completes these considerations. The 3ème Sonata has undergone several revisions, but the UK première on 14th October 2007 was of its final version.

Duration: 16mins
Available from: the composer
Price: £8.50

Toccata et Fugue (1980)

This composition reflects upon the achievements of 20th-century French music and the many heroic pieces written for organ. It is written with the concept of ‘modes of limited transposition’ in mind and is thus substantially inspired by Messiaen. In this sense the piece is clearly connected to the tradition of modality, where a flavour of tonality is omnipresent but not functional, rather in the sense of gravitation or black holes. The scholastic polyphone fugue renders the composition a blend of the French and German traditions. Toccata & Fugue was written for the composer’s first performance at Notre Dame in Paris 1981, at the invitation of Pierre Cochereau. The UK première took place at Westminster Cathedral during the 2007 AFNOM Festival.

Duration: 9mins
Available from: the composer
Price: £6.50