Simon Leach, the organist on this recording, gave the world premiere of Naji Hakim's Toccata on the Feast of Epiphany and the first London performance at Westminster Cathedral.
Composer Biography
Naji Hakim, the composer of the works on this album, was born in Beirut in 1955 and studied with several notable figures, including Jean Langlais for organ.
Composition History
The Embrace of Fire, a work on this album, was awarded first prize in the Anton Heiller Memorial competition for Organ Compositions in Collegedale, Tennessee, in 1986.
Composer Biography
Naji Hakim succeeded Olivier Messiaen as organist of l'église de la Trinité in Paris, holding the position from 1993 until 2008.
Instruments
The organ used for this recording, located at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Manchester, was built in 1871 by William Hill and Son and features 48 speaking stops.
Performer Biography
John Turner, who plays recorder on the Diptych, has given the first performances of over 500 works for the recorder, including pieces by Leonard Bernstein and Ned Rorem.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Naji Hakim's Hommage à Igor Stravinsky is a triptych inspired by Gregorian chant, featuring short cyclical melodic and rhythmic motives.
You might also enjoy...
Le chant de la Jérusalem des terres froides
Tabart: Requiem/Te Deum/Magnificat
Teatro spirituale (Rome C. 1610)
Christmas in Vienna
Dagincourt, F.: Vocal Music
Ars Nova – New Music
Lincolnshire Posy
Angels - Voices from Eternity
Brilliant Variations on Sentimental Songs: Slipping Virtuosity into the Antebellum Drawing Room
