Here are six of Leighton's original compositions for organ. Ranging from the quietly expressive to the rhythmically exuberant, and with hymn tune preludes, fanfares, and toccatas, the pieces form a striking and contrasted collection suitable for many occasions. The set ends with 'Paean', an energetic and defiantly optimistic work and one of Leighton's finest and most popular organ pieces.
Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)
"The album is well worth getting for any one of its pieces alone." - Graham Hollobon, Organ News (NZ Assoc of Organists), Nov 02
"OUP's new collection will therefore be welcomed by admirers of Leighton's music, and should also help to win new converts to his particular blend of intellectual rigour and English romanticism . . . The result is a diverse collection ranging from the easy Fanfare to the fairly difficult Paean; from gentle to exuberant, from choral preludes to a fanfare and a toccata. If as an anthology it hangs together less well than some of OUP's other single-composer organ volumes, it is nevertheless a welcome compilation in which organists of all abilities could find useful material for liturgical and concert use." - Duncan Watkins, Church Music Quarterly Sept 02
"This volume of organ music by Kenneth Leighton, Professor of Music at Edinburgh University until his death in 1988, is both welcome and timely. We can now look back on the work of the late 20th century in proper context. And Leighton must rate as a signifcant composer of music . . . The music is well presented throughout. The collection is well worth acquiring, and will be of value to all organists of reasonable ability who appreciate the best of 20th century organ writing." - The Organ November 2002
Fanfare Rockingham Toccata on Hanover Ode St Columbia (Erin) Paean
