This is the premiere recording of Graham Twist's Introduction and Passacaglia for organ. It's a work in homage to Rheinberger's Sonata No. 8 with moments of the great Johann Sebastian Bach's Passacaglia (BWV 582).
Here's what Graham said about my recording:
Thank you, James. It is a thrill and an honour for me to have you play this 'composition' - my homage to the vastly superior work by Rheinberger (and just a quick nod to Bach here and there!). I dedicated the composition to MWA when it was finished in Easter 2018, having only had the theme and first two variations toyed with in 1978 and then left abandoned until retirement as my professional life (far removed from music) occupied the intervening years. Michael, who introduced me to the glorious world of the King of Instruments, who taught me and nurtured my very limited abilities as an organist and church musician and who even built a three manual house organ that the late Dr Francis Jackson of York Minster much admired, gifted me a passion that has enriched the whole of my life beyond measure. I first heard the Rheinberger aged 16 when Michael played it at one of his wonderful recitals on the Chapel organ at school - an instrument he worked on and added to that would have graced any Cathedral in the land - particularly the 'floating' battery of Spanish-style trompetas at 16', 8' and 4', in addition to the most beautiful French trompette on the Swell and beautiful 'fat' English trombas on the Great, Choir and Pedal! I spent far too much time playing that organ at school, and nowhere near enough time studying for my exams. I hope that anyone who hears this composition judges it as my heart-felt gift to a most remarkable human being, my mentor and hero . . . and not as a piece of music that could stand any critical analysis. I am no 'Michelin-starred' chef of a composer; this is simply my 'home-cooking' with recipes gratefully 'borrowed' from JGR and JSB, who are the real Mcoy! Again, thank you, James!
I'm honoured that Graham commissioned me to recording this piece of his after he discovered a recording of me playing the actual Passacaglia from Rheinberger's 8th Sonata. I hope you enjoy this recording. The link to the score is in the video description.