The St Albans Cathedral organ was comprehensively refurbished from 2007 to 2009, adding features like Principal stops at 2′ pitch, a fourth manual for the Fanfare Trumpet, and a Cimblestern of six bells.
Composer Biography
Arnold Cooke, born in 1906, studied with Edward J. Dent at Cambridge and then spent three years with Paul Hindemith, a prominent German composer, in Berlin.
Recording & Production
This album is the first dedicated solely to Arnold Cooke's organ works and consists primarily of first recordings.
Instruments
The organ of St Albans Cathedral, where this album was recorded, was the first English cathedral instrument built on Neo-Classical principles, inspired by European trends.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Arnold Cooke developed a unique musical voice, influenced by Paul Hindemith, Béla Bartók, and Johannes Brahms, but also displaying English characteristics like modality and folk-like melodies.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Arnold Cooke rejected the pressure to be 'modern', stating he was never 'in the race for modernity' and found it unnecessary to write in the latest style.
Compositional Technique
Arnold Cooke's musical language is frequently built on melodic and harmonic perfect fourths and fifths, is highly structured, and often employs contrapuntal techniques.
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