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JOHN ELLIS: MUSIC FOR ORGAN, VOL. 1 John Ellis, a composer from Manchester in England, has produced a corpus of organ music that is both thoroughly in the tradition of British cathedral and liturgical music while developing an individual voice. Here Ronald Frost, organist of St. Ann's Church, Manchester, plays that fine instrument. A second volume of Ellis works, played by Robin Walker, is also now available on Divine Art DDA25087. |
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| playing time: 62.19 direct sale price: £8.50 audio sample: Veni Creator Spiritus - Variation I (Alla gigue) |
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review extracts: for full reviews click here | ||
| “The disc opens with a very fine ‘Allegro and Pasasacaglia’. This truly is organists’ music.. Ronald Frost [is] superb and committed throughout. I have much enjoyed exploring John Ellis’s organ music... it has charm, it is practical and is suitable for recital work. The music is beautifully performed, recorded and annotated. Even for non-organists it would be well worth searching out.” – Gary Higginson (MusicWeb) | |||
| “Although broadly tonal the music shows considerable variety harmonically, ranging from the modally expressive to the quartal piquancy of Hindemith. Modulations happen by sleight of hand; the pivot chords provoke marvel, whilst melodies are plastic, limpid and show the influence of plainsong. Ellis' Variations on Veni Creator Spiritus, an absolute gem of a work... inspires an array of delightful textures and ingenious working out, culminating in a maestoso closing chorale. In a sense this work encapsulates what I love about Ellis' music: its fluidity, its ease of skill, its quiet surprises, its occasional grandiose outbursts. [Ronald Frost's] playing is first rate, the recording is excellent... lovers of organ music should not hesitate to buy [the disc], they will not be disappointed.” – David Hackbridge Johnson (MusicWeb) | |||