MUSIC FOR ORGAN: Volume 3.
PACHELBEL: Two Chorale Preludes on ‘Vom Himmel Hoch’;
BUXTEHUDE: Magnificat Primi Toni ; J. S. BACH: Four Chorale Preludes (Organbuchlein);
J. E. WEST: Fantasy on Two Well-Known Christmas Carols;
MULET: Noël;
d’AQUIN: Noël Suisse;
R. FROST: Variations on David Marden’s "Nicola";
GORDON PHILLIPS: Two Carol Preludes; HANDEL arr. FROST: Pastoral Symphony; GARTH EDMUNDSON: Toccata, ‘Vom Himmel Hoch’.
RONALD FROST at the organ of St. Ann’s Church, Manchester
DUNELM RECORDS DRD0185. £10-00 +95p p&p, from 2 Park Close, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 7RQ (e-mail: sales@dunelm-records.co.uk; web site www.dunelm-records..co.uk)

 

This CD, actually the sixth by Ronald Frost to be recorded by Dunelm recently, is devoted to Christmas music from Germany, France and America with a few English rarities scattered therein. Mr. Frost’s own Nicola Variations, occasionally astringent, are inventive and concise and well worth recording. John Ebenezer West was a music advisor to Novello’s and his Fantasy (on The First Nowell and Good King Wenceslas) is a straightforward pot-pourri rather than a major piece, though enjoyable on its own terms and Gordon Phillips (1908-91) for many years Organist at All-Hallows-by-the-Tower, treats his carols (O Little Town [the Forest Green tune] and The Holly and the Ivy) with simplicity and brevity.

St. Ann’s must be delighted to have its fine instrument so fully covered and this latest instalment, well recorded and presented is, again, thoroughly recommended.

P.L.Scowcroft

 

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