Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This enjoyable release sits well as a companion to Leighton's 'Sacred Choral Music' also on Naxos and reviewed elsewhere on this site. As an entry in the Naxos Organ Encyclopedia we hope to hear a top instrument being played well and with an interesting selection of music. This CD ticks all three boxes. In no particular order they are: the Organ of Blackburn Cathedral built by J Walker & Sons in 1969 and rebuilt by Wood of Huddersfield in 2002. The recording is produced by David Gibbs with David Hinitt engineering and editing and between them they do an excellent job: we hear all the detail and with a good set of speakers this sounds like we are there on the front row. The organist is Greg Morris, Associate Organist at London's Temple Church, who performs widely throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Here he is in fine form and one can scarcely imagine anyone playing better. The music is by Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988) who was one of Britain's most important 20th century composers. His style is a distinctive mix of melodic lyricism, masterly counterpoint and dynamic rhythmic energy. "Et Resurrexit" builds into a cataclysmic climax, symbolizing the soul's struggle for belief in Christ's resurrection, while his "Hymn Fantasies" abound in fascinating polyphony. "Missa de Gloria", also known as the "Dublin Festival Mass," based on an ancient plainchant from the Sarum rite for Easter Sunday, uses the full resources and colours of the solo organ to express the drama and mystery of the Catholic liturgy. Sometimes releases in the Organ Encyclopedia series appeal only to specialist listeners but the music on this particular CD is surely going to be of interest to a much wider audience.

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