William Bolcom: Free Fantasia on "O Zion, Haste" and "How Firm a Foundation" (from Gospel Preludes Book 4)
James MacMillan: Le tombeau de Georges Rouault
Stephen Paulus: A Refined Reflection (from Baronian Suite)
John Furse: Moot Points
Giles Swayne: Riff-Raff
Derek Foster: Variations on a theme by Anthony Green
Peter Maxwell Davies: Veni Creator Spiritus
William Bolcom: Black Host

And now for something completely different!

An extraordinary collection of extraordinarily virtuoso British and American works for organ from the late 20th and 21st centuries, played by one of the world's foremost exponents of contemporary organ music, Tom Bell. The recording takes its title 'Freak out' from one of the performance instructions in William Bolcom's unique work for organ, percussion (including kit), and electronic tape 'Black Host'. This instruction, together with others, including 'Go Ape', and 'Detonate', are words not usually found in the world of organ music! {Regent Records}

As the title 'Freak out' suggests, this recording is not for the faint of heart, or those who aren't receptive to different pipe organ music. Some people believe that music for this instrument starts and stops with Johann Sebastian Bach or is reserved strictly for liturgical church services. On the contrary, because of its wide range of dynamics, sounds and colours, it's the instrument best suited for 'concert' performances featuring a variety of composers and styles.

Following my initial audition and based on first impressions, I was almost tempted to dismiss this CD, but after living with it for a few weeks and getting pulled into its innovative sound world, I must say I'm impressed. Granted, some of the pieces are a bit chaotic and stentorian in nature (household members might think you've gone 'round the bend after playing the James MacMillan, whose final chord would give anyone the willies), but not for the mere sake of noise, but rather to exploit the pipe organ's capabilities and to put forward new and adventurous musical ideas. For example, Giles Swayne's Riff-Raff (not about disreputable people but rather musical riffs) pits alternating, cross-rhythm, repeating phrases (riffs) against each other, simultaneously played on sonically and dynamically different manuals and pedalboard to stupendous effect. And as far as the title piece by William Bolcom is concerned, which incorporates many styles including 1920's dance band music and boogie-woogie, and includes the use of a drum set and percussion played by Ross Garrod, just buckle up and enjoy the ride. William Albright, who premiered the piece in 1968 wrote: "It is an emotionally based piece, and if it is about anything, it would be fear."

Not everything on this CD is apt to have the neighbours up in arms, as some of the pieces are of a more quiet nature. In fact, I haven't heard as nice a slow, meditative and soft piece like A Refined Reflection by Stephen Paulus in a long time. Organist Tom Bell's use of what sounds like the 2' Piccolo stop to highlight its beautiful melody is just pure ear candy. And a word of caution if I may; the Veni Creator Spiritus by Peter Maxwell Davies is one of these softer pieces, which may prompt you to raise the volume. Lest you want to experience a jolt, the following Black Host starts off very loud, so don't forget to adjust the volume accordingly.

The organ itself boasts an impressive range of stops from a 2' Piccolo to a 32' Contra Ophicleide. It was built in 1933 by Hill, Norman and Beard and sits in the chapel of the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook. The booklet notes point out: "Few organs can match its combination of extreme dynamic range and vivid colour in so cavernous an acoustic. The quietest stops can be made almost to disappear, whereas at the other end of the scale, in an empty room the instrument is apocalyptically loud. Once heard live it is never forgotten. Not everybody's cup of tea, difficult to master, brimming with character, and with pedal reeds which sound like naval guns, the Holbrook organ is inspirational, and the inspiration for this recording."