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SINFONIA FESTIVA

The title work, "Sinfonia Festiva" by Gawthrop, is indeed a festive three-movement work for organ, brass quintet, and tympani (a fourth movement is not included here). It is colorful in sound and eminently audience-friendly; it deserves to be heard on many recital programs. Two shorter works of Gawthrop, also attractive, are included on the disc. Our AAM colleague David Ashley White is represented by an elegant "Triptych," which has the welcome structure of a spare "Prelude," followed by a vigorous "Capriccio," and concluding with a brilliant "Hymn"--actually, a set of variations on David's tune LOWRY NEW. Again, two of his shorter works are included--in addition to the "Fanfare for Saint Anthony, the Book of Common Prayer phrase "For the Means of Grace and for the Hope of Glory" inspires a fine work in ABA form (almost three connected movements). The major work of our colleague Craig Phillips is his "Suite for Organ, Brass, and Percussion," another three-movement work, but in the shape of prelude--slow-toccata. Craig's "Psalm Prelude [146:1-2] is structurally reminiscent of the similar works by Herbert Howells, but still very much Craig's own style.

Paul Skevington is a secure organist with an excellent sense of ensemble. Brass instruments can be notoriously tricky to play cleanly, but the Washington Symphonic group has admirable tone and control. Pecussionists Bill Richards and Joseph Connell are just right technically and in musical companionship. Sound on the disk, by Edward J. Kelly and his collaborators, is beautifully balanced. The liner is excellent, providing comments by and brief biographies of the composers, notes on the players, and appropriate credits (including publishers). While a stoplist may not be needed, I think that we should find a mention of the builder and date of the organ at St. Luke Roman Catholic Church in McLean, Virginia, where the recording was made.

For those who have the resources, this disc offers many excellent ideas for programming. For readers in smaller parishes, who may not have a first-rate ensemble of brass and percussion at their beck and call, the recording still offers some inspiring listening.

Victor Hill, Ph.D.
Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians
October 2006