Program Notes
Karl Jenkins is a leading figure in the twenty-first century of music. He combines the driving rhythm of minimalism and rock with traditional sounds from around the world. He was raised in Penclawdd, Gower, Wales and his early music studies of piano and theory were with his father . Further studies at the University of Wales in Cardiff were followed by postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. It was in jazz that he initially made his mark -- playing at Ronnie Scott’s club before co-forming Nucleus, which won first prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival. In the field of advertising music, he has won several industry awards. It is perhaps for his Adiemus project and classical works for which he is best known. Adiemus has topped classical and pop charts around the world. He was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to British Music by her Majesty The Queen in the 2005 New Year’s Honours list.
This album contains Karl Jenkins’ organ works plus arrangements of his choral and instrumental works. From the exciting pulsating rhythms of Trumpeting Organ Morgan to the poignant beauty of Hymn from Adiemus: Songs of Sanctuary to the majesty of In these stones horizons sing -- each of these exhibit his diversity of composition.
Charles Tournemire was organist at the Paris Church of Ste Clotilde and Professor at the Paris Conservatoire. Tournemire was a master of improvisation and he was deeply influenced by Csar Franck and by Charles-Marie Widor. This breathtaking work Victim paschali comes from Cinq Improvisations and was “reconstituted” by his pupil Maurice Durufl.
Iver Kleive was born into a Norwegian musical family. He graduated as a choir director from the Oslo Conservatory of Music and then continued his studies in Germany. Iver Kleive is the artistic leader and conductor of the Oslo Bach Choir. The Toccata on Store Gud, vi lover deg (Praise Thee God) is a truly exciting work and makes a powerful closing track to this album.
The Organ of St. Martin’s Church of Dudelange.
The organ was built in 1912 by the organ builder Georg Stahlhuth (1830-1913) and his son Eduard Stahlhuth (1862-1916). The three-manual organ of 1912 had forty-five stops. In 1962 the organ had tonal modifications in accordance with tastes at the time. By the middle of the 1990s the organ had become unplayable and a renovation was planned. Organ builder Thomas Jann in 2001 restored and returned the instrument to its former glory. The present size is four manuals and ninety-four ranks.
Acknowledgements
Dr. Carol Williams wishes to thank Serge Tani for arranging the whole recording project. Jeremy Allen, Editor, of Boosey & Hawkes for sending the music of Karl Jenkins Essential Organ Album. Also to Father Robert Siebenaler; Jacques Dondelinger, President Amis del’ Orgue; Paul Kayser and Laurent Felten, organists of Saint-Martin de Dudelange.
Audio Recording Engineer: Laurent Watgen
Inlay photo of Carol Williams: Christian Steiner
Photo of Organ Jrme Dichter
Inlay Notes: Carol Williams
Manufactured and printed by Disc Makers, Pennsauken, NJ, USA
