Notes and Editorial Reviews
ORGAN MUSIC OF NED ROREM is a poetic collage of musical ideas that display the virtuosity of organist Ronald Prowse. As a lecturing expert on the organ music of Ned Rorem, Prowse easily shows his deep understanding of these works.
The opening Fantasy and Toccata is tuneful and based on the Kyrie from a Gregorian mass. Prowse's performance is meditative, smoothly moving into the lively Toccata with ease. The syncopated Fantasy from 'Organbook I' was, in Rorem's own words, meant to be "more technically plain." Gradated from easy to quite difficult, this work uses ostinato accompaniment along with contrasting melodic material to make for a unique, lyric piece. The symmetrically odd "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?" from 'Organbook II' is
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structurally magnificent, as the commandment of notes is mastered by Prowse's technical proficiency. Excerpts from 'Organbook III' are filled with irregular note groupings that use Rorem's twelve-tone compositional techniques. Contrasted from the bombastic, to the solemnly reverent, The Six Pieces for Organ are juxtaposing movements that similarly tell a climactic story. This is a must have addition for the modern organ listener. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Fantasie and Toccata for Organ by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Ronald Prowse (Organ)
Period: 20th Century
Written: USA
2.
Organbook no 1: Fantasy by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Ronald Prowse (Organ)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1989; USA
3.
Organbook no 2: Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani? by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Ronald Prowse (Organ)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1989; USA
4.
Organbook no 3 by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Ronald Prowse (Organ)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1989; USA
5.
Pastorale for Organ by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Ronald Prowse (Organ)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1949; USA
6.
Pieces (6) for Organ by Ned Rorem
Performer:
Ronald Prowse (Organ)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1997; USA
Sound Samples
Fantasy and Toccata: Fantasy
Fantasy and Toccata: Toccata
Organbook II: V. Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?
Organbook III: II. Impromptu
Organbook III: III. Passacaglia
Organbook III: IV. Fanfare
6 Pieces: No. 1. To Tallis
6 Pieces: No. 2. Why and Because
6 Pieces: No. 3. The Flight to Egypt
6 Pieces: No. 4. Entreat Me Not
6 Pieces: No. 6. Touch and Go
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