This superb CD was originally released in 1988, and is still
widely available on the internet. As for numerous other composers
featured in his huge Nimbus discography, Kevin Bowyer blazed
a trail for the absurdly neglected French composer Valentin
Alkan, yet few have followed his lead. Bowyer himself subsequently
recorded two CDs, with a third pending, for Toccata Classics,
taking care not to duplicate this Nimbus recital - see reviews
of volume
1 and volume
2. According to the Alkan
Society, Bowyer is still alone in having recorded the 13
Prières, op.64, though one or two others, most notably John
Wells on the Ribbonwood label, have done the odd one or two,
sometimes in arrangements by Alkan's friend, César Franck. Bowyer's
is still the sole version of the Impromptu op.69, although earlier
this year Toccata Classics released Alkan's complete music for
piano four hands, featuring the phenomenal arrangement by Roger
Smalley (review).
The somewhat easier Petits Préludes have been recorded
by others, by King on Symposium (1062, 1992) and Andrew Canning
on Landscape Music (LMICD 001, 1999); the first recording was
made by Georges Lartigau on the German label Motette in 1984,
not available on CD.
The Prières (Prayers) are a revelation. Thirteen pieces of outstanding,
even outlandish variety and interest, inspired and glorious,
devotional yet frequently playful, sometimes, like the seventh,
so weird as to be practically extraterrestrial. The third is
a proto-minimalist piece that knocks today's post-modern pretenders
into a cocked hat, the eighth a stirring battle hymn, the final
one an unforgettable expression of exultation.
By contrast, the eight manuals-only Petits Préludes are as diminutive
as their title indicates, averaging under a minute each. Alkan's
only work written expressly for the organ, the Preludes are
gentle and unassuming, a timeless stroll through eight Gregorian
modes, and the calm before the storm of the mighty, almost unholy,
Impromptu. This title is Alkan's joke - from a quiet opening,
this work builds quickly to an imposing, complex, altogether
astounding piece, a masterclass in variation form. There are
four sections played as a single movement, each keeping the
same metronome mark. The final, massive fugue - almost half
the playing time - is mind-blowing in its energy and intensity
as it whirls like a chromatic dervish, shaking the nave to its
foundations before Alkan shakes an almost impromptu ending out
of his sleeve. Bowyer miraculously keeps on top of it all, sprouting
auxiliary hands and feet as required: already at this very early
stage in his career he was staking out his claim as one of the
finest organists of modern times.
This was in fact one of Bowyer's earliest recordings for Nimbus,
a contract which was to bequeath posterity around 50 almost
invariably memorable CDs. The discography available on his website
is three years out of date, but already 14 pages long! Bowyer's
incredible Sorabji Organ
Project is still rolling forward, but its completion promises
to be one of the greatest organ events in the history of music.
Salisbury Cathedral organ was built by the illustrious Henry
Willis & Sons, and both are going strong. The organ dates
from 1877 and was renovated by the same company in 1969. Though
clearly lacking the long illustrious history of the Cathedral
itself, the instrument has a fine reputation - the Cathedral
proudly describes it as "one of the finest pipe organs
in the world". New technology would do it greater justice
nowadays - the recording is a little on the quiet side, and
there is minor background hiss in evidence between tracks -
but this is such a good buy overall it would be churlish to
complain. Ronald Smith's booklet notes are intelligent and well
written.
Though the back cover of the CD shows Bowyer sporting a haircut
he may wish to forget, these masterly performances are sure
to live on, helping keep alive the possibility that future generations
will recognise Alkan's haecceity and genius more readily than
those who have gone before.
Byzantion
Collected reviews and contact at reviews.gramma.co.uk
Kevin Bowyer (organ) 
