organ – Alto CD

J.S. Bach: St. John Passion, BWV 245

amuletts — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:43:31 +0000

Alto returns the acclaimed 1996 recordings of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion by the King’s College Choir, Cambridge under the direction of Stephen Cleobury, and joined by an impressive array of Baroque specialists headed by the tenor John Mark Ainsley (Evangelist), the bass Stephen Richardson as Christ, soprano Catherine Bott, alto Michael Chance, and baritone Stephen Varcoe. The orchestra, the Brandenburg Consort, founded by Roy Goodman, was one of the leading period-instrument ensembles specializing in the music J.S. Bach and his contemporaries.

St. John Passion was first performed in 1724 as part of a church service during Holy Week at St.Thomas’ Church in Leipzig with other items being added the following year, included in this recording (‘1725 setting’), although later Bach reverted to the original 1724 version. With its trial scenes St John Passion is noticeably more dramatic than the St. Matthew Passion which followed a couple of years later.

“A lively, well-paced version with original instruments and excellent team of characterful soloists, with the fresh-toned (King’s Choir) boy trebles adding dramatic bite. What especially distinguishes this set is that the alternative numbers that Bach wrote for a revival in 1725, are given in an appendix, including the Chorale fantasy in place of the opening …Most enjoyable” —Penguin Guide, 3 stars

“fine contributions especially from Stephen Varcoe, and an exceptionally immediate and affecting ‘Es ist vollbracht’ from Michael Chance.” —Gramophone

William Byrd: Anthems, Motets, Services

amuletts — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 01:48:48 +0000

“William Byrd was undoubtedly the greatest English composer of his time, fully equal to his continental contemporaries Palestrina, Lassus and Victoria … what is also remarkable

Psallite Domino (from Gradualia 1607) 1:15

Ne irascaris (from Cantiones sacrae 1589) 8:20

Laetentur caeli (from Cantiones sacrae 1589) 3:45

Senex puerum portabat (from Gradualia 1605) 1:40

Sing joyfully 2:43

Non vos relinquam (from Gradualia 1607) 1:51

Vigilate (from Cantiones sacrae 1589) 4:37

Justorum animae (from Gradualia 1605) 2:49

Haec dies (from Cantiones sacrae 1591) 2:31

Teach me, O Lord 3:40

Rorate coeli desuper (from Gradualia 1605) 4:21

Ave verum corpus (from Gradualia 1605) 4:28

Second Service: Magnificat 4:06

Second Service: Nunc dimittis 2:16

Exsurge, Domine (from Cantiones sacrae 1591) 4:12

Sacerdotes Domini (from Gradualia 1607) 1:25

Short Service: Magnificat 3:22

Short Service: Nunc dimittis 2:05

Laudibus in sanctis (from Cantiones sacrae 1591) 5.41

Vision of Peace / The Monks of Ampleforth Abbey

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:43:19 +0000

“Ampleforth Abbey is a rare oasis of calm in our hectic world.” (Gramophone)
“a collection of items that illustrate different moments in the life of a monk, from his early morning awakening through to nightfall, from the day of hi s vows to the final lowering of his coffin” ”
“it is really telling us about something utterly serious: they sing their chant well and with understandin g, enhanced by the deep re verbe ration of their lofty chapel.” (Gramophone)

[1] The Great Bell (2:38)
[2] Tibi Dixit Cor Meum (1:42)
[3] Laetatus Sum (1:50)
[4] Suscipe (3:19)
[5] Veni Creator Spiritus (3:04)
[6] Where charity and love are found (2:07)
[7] Inclitos Christi (2:44)
[8] Benedictus Deus (1:39)
[9] Ave Maris Stella (2:55)
[10] The Reading from the Rule of St Benedict and the Confession (3.28)
[11] The Psalms of Compline (5:30)
[12] The Hymn at Nightfall (1:14)
[13] The Verse (0:17)
[14] Nunc Dimittis (1:33)
[15] Litany, Prayer and Blessing (2:14)
[16] Hymn to the Virgin Mary (2:46)
[17] Scriptural Meditation (5:10)
[18] Quinque Prudentes Virgines (1:16)
[19] De Lamentatione Jeremiae Prophetae (3:36)
[20] Christus Factus Est (2:23)
[21] Te Deum (4:03)
[22] Miserere Mei (5:28)
[23] Regem Cui (6:14)
[24] Ego Sum (0.41)
[25] In Paradisum /Chorus Angelorum (l:11)
[26] Suscipe (0:40)
[27] Urbs Jerusalem Beata (2:34)

Organ Extravaganza !- de Montfort & Holbrook

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:39:35 +0000

‘two of England’s most powerful organs played superbly just for entertainment’
(Organist’s Review): ‘reference performances recorded with stunning impact’

The Taylor organ in the De Montfort Hall, Leicester

1. Toccata Giubiloso (Jeremy Nicholas) 3:38
2. Danse Macabre (Saint-Saens arr E.H.Lemare) 7:49
3. Prelude in C# minor (Rachmaninov arr Vierne) 4:06
4. Devil’s Galop – “Dick Barton” (Williams arr Blackmore) 1:38
5. Penguins’ Playtime (Nigel Ogden) 2:29
6. In a Persian Market (Ketelbey arr Matthews) 6:09
7. Toccata sur “Pat le Facteur” (Edward Marsh) 5:04
8. Etude Symphonique (Bossi) 4:36
9. Tuba Tune (Norman Cocker) 4:28

The Hill, Norman & Beard organ in the Royal Hospital School Chapel, Holbrook, Suffolk

10. March: The Dam Busters (Eric Coates arr. Edward Marsh) 4:13
11. In Party Mood – “Housewives’ Choice” Theme
(Jack Strachey arr. George Blackmore) 4:14
12. Marche aux Flambeaux (Scotson Clark ed. Edward Marsh) 4:15
13. The Parade of the Tin Soldiers (Leon Jessel) 3:28
14. Stars and Stripes Forever (J.P. Sousa arr. Edward Marsh) 3:46
15. Funeral March of a Marionette – “Hitchcock” Theme
(Gounod arr. W.T. Best) 4:30
16. Colonel Bogey (Kenneth J. Alford) 4:36
17. Chanson de Matin (Elgar arr. A. Herbert Brewer) 2:54
18. Toccata (Joseph Jongen) 4:39