Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Sounds like a good title, particularly when we can hear what sounds like a door slamming during the opening track, Widor's "Allegro Vivace" from 'Symphonie V'. Lammas recordings are usually flawless which makes this glitch stand out like the proverbial and I suppose it must be next to impossible to get a quiet hour for recording in a working cathedral. So let us not quibble and instead look for the good points, of which there are many. David Humphreys was born in Hertfordshire in 1983 and is now an organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge. One does not need to be a prophet to predict an excellent future for this young man, as his playing on this collection is outstanding. Here he gives us a largely French programme that also features Flor Peeter's "Suite Modale" and a brief "Meditation" by a major figure in the line of St Albans organists, Peter Hurford. The accompanying booklet includes Humphreys' informative notes on the music he plays, the history of St Albans' organs, the specification of the present instrument and a photograph of its console. For organ lovers this is another indispensable release; for those with a more general interest in 20th century instrumental music it is interesting without being vital.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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