Tom Winpenny - Hendrie: Complete Organ Music, Vol. 2 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

This two-disc set presents recordings of four British works from the Itter Broadcast Collection, the pristine recording archive of Lyrita founder Richard Itter, featuring fine readings of violin concertos by Benjamin, Moeran, and Bax alongside the European premiere of Walton's Cello Concerto at the Royal Festival Hall with Sir Malcolm Sargent and Gregor Piatigorsky.

The English composer John Gardner (1917-2011) played the organ from an early age; his first work to be published was for the organ, and he wrote for the instrument throughout his long life. His music, whether secular or sacred, is characterised by a rhythmic vivacity and technical command informed by his fondness for jazz, Renaissance and Baroque procedures and classical counterpoint - and the spirit of dance is often close to hand. It's quirky and distinctive personality is a mirror of the man Gardner's gruff, slightly formal manner barely hid a mischievous sense of humour, flashes of which can be glimpsed even in his more serious works. Above all, his musical language is honest and emotionally direct, as he was.

The music of Arnold Cooke, born in Yorkshire in 1906, had already fallen into neglect by the time of his death 99 years later. Cooke was a prolific composer, with two operas, six symphonies, numerous concertos and a generous amount of chamber music to his credit - nor did he neglect the organ, as this album of his major organ pieces reveals. Cooke's style owes much to his teacher, Hindemith, not least since both men were natural contrapuntists, although there are also points of contact with Bartók and Shostakovich, and occasional touches of Walton's ceremonial sparkle and no-nonsense grandeur.