David Briggs - Ralph Vaughan Williams: Bursts Of Acclamation (CD)

Release Date: 06/01/15

Complete organ works of Vaughan Williams, & transcriptions including Tallis Fantasia, Wasps Overture, movements from the 'Sea' & 'London' symphonies

Albion Records presents David Briggs's 2014double CD recording, with all the works written for organ by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and transcriptions (including the Tallis Fantasia) by David Briggs, Peter Beardsley, Herbert Sumsion, Henry Ley and others, made on the restored 1912 Walker organ of Sacred Heart Church, Wimbledon. This includes ten world-première recordings.

At the age of 17, David Briggs obtained his FRCO (Fellow of the Royal College of Organists) diploma, winning all the prizes and the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. From 1981–84 he was the Organ Scholar at King's College, Cambridge University, subsequently holding positions at Hereford, Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals. He is currently Artist-in-Residence at St James Cathedral, Toronto. A prolific composer, his works range from full scale oratorios to works for solo instruments.

Reviews

The largest of the original works is the Prelude and Fugue in C minor of 1921-30, a rather prolix work, which caused the composer a good deal of trouble, and lies awkwardly under the hands and feet. However, its gritty, acerbic difficulties melt away under David Briggs's effortless poise; he tackles it head-on, allegro con fuoco, and makes a convincing case for its elusive merits. Brigg's new transcription of the Wasps Overture is a real sparkler and he knows exactly how to pace Peter Beardsley's take on the Tallis Fantasia, imbuing it with a sheen of glorious string tone. The generously disposed three-manual J W Walker organ of 1912 in Wimbledon's Sacred Heart Church is the ideal choice for this Romantic programme. The full organ is used sparingly and even then never overpoweringly.
Malcolm Riley, Gramophone Magazine, October 2015

It's a cause for celebration that one of the world's finest organists should apply his virtuosity to Vaughan Williams's glorious compositions. David Briggs's lovingly crafted performances give us music-making of the highest order.