Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

If ever I write a survey of British classical music of the 20th century Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988) will certainly get a mention. Not a chapter but more than a paragraph. If I had to recommend one disc as a taster it would be his 'Sacred Choral Music' on the Naxos label although I recognise that he was also a more than competent writer for piano and organ. Those who want to go further and deeper will welcome this new series covering his complete organ works. The first volume was recorded on the monumental Rieger organ of St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, the city where Leighton spent most of his working life as a composer. The centrepiece is Leighton's most substantial work for the instrument, "Missa de Gloria" (Opus 82), written for the inaugural Dublin International Organ Festival in 1980. Also featured are the inventive "Six Fantasies on Hymn Tunes" (Opus 72), written for a former St Giles' organist, Herrick Bunney, and the "Improvisation In Memoriam Maurice de Sausmarez" from 1969. Stephen Farr is also joined by organist John Butt for the epic and challenging organ duet based on a Scottish Psalm-tune, "Martyrs" (Opus 73). The audio quality is excellent and there is a full-colour, 18 page booklet available to download. Leighton enthusiasts will be delighted with this release, organ aficionados will be most interested to hear the organ of St Giles' Cathedral in all its glory, and the general listener who takes the trouble to track this down will be pleasantly surprised at what is on offer.

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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