There being no just cause or impediment to the contrary Christopher Maxim makes a daring liaison between the music-hall ballad 'Daisy Daisy' (on pedals) and the grand organ style of Vierne (on manuals) in his Toccata Nuptiale written for the wedding of a friend whose passions include cycling. The result which moves along way from the organ loft of Notre Dame is a splendid addition to the repertoire of wedding music and of light-hearted concert works - and is much simpler to play than a real Vierne toccata!
SKU: ST.H488
ISBN 9790220224560.
Though much to be feared, dragons by definition are rarely encountered, living at the furthest corners of the known world, or further even than that. As Bilbo Baggins discovered, to go in search of one can be an epic journey; and though Christopher Maxim, composer of the popular Toccata Nuptiale for organ, does not reveal whether Smaug, or Fafner, or the dragon slain by Saint George, is the particular beast in view, Here be Dragons! has the dramatic atmosphere of an adventure to remote and mythical places. Darkly chromatic roulades for clarinet, perhaps the creature's fiery breath, set the scene for an exciting duet on a gripping theme that stalks through the music in a variety of menacing variations, including a dragonish fugue. In the energetic arpeggios and trills that embellish the tune there is much for players of around Grade 8 standard to relish, in a showpiece that will undoubtedly lend enchantment to any concert. The world premiere can be enjoyed on YouTube.
