Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Recorded on the 'Father' Willis organ of Salisbury Cathedral - one of the greatest English romantic organs - this recording of a selection of Herbert Howells' solo organ music features three rarely recorded works which were published after the composer's death, together with the four magnificent Rhapsodies, and the large-scale Organ Sonata of 1932. Thus we hear compositions across the long life of the composer (who was born in 1892 and died in 1983). Howells was assistant organist at Salisbury Cathedral during the year 1917 and the Salisbury Cathedral organ as it is today is virtually unchanged tonally from the instrument the composer knew, making it a perfect and authentic instrument for the recording of his organ music. After spending a gap year as Organ Scholar at Salisbury Cathedral, David Newsholme read music at New College, Oxford, where he held both an Academic Scholarship and the Organ Scholarship. In 2009 he was appointed Assistant Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College, a position that he held until 2011, when he moved to his current post of Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral where he has performed at numerous high profile occasions, including the installation service for Archbishop Welby, as well as on frequent television and radio broadcasts. This disc is David's first solo organ recording and he plays very well indeed and we are sure that all collectors of English organ music will be interested in this release. However for the general listener this may be too specialised to keep your attention.

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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