Simon Preston

Simon Preston at Westminster Abbey (2CD)

From 1962 (when he made his Royal Festival Hall debut) to 1967 and again from 1981 to 1987, Simon Preston held posts at Westminster Abbey, initially as sub-organist then as organist and master of the choristers. These recordings were made during that first period.

The Abbey’s organ is a rather more recent construction, built by Harrison & Harrison, installed in time for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937 and thus still in fine working order when Preston made these recordings.

TRACK LIST

CD 1
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Six Schübler Chorale Preludes

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Orgelstück (Fantasia) für eine Uhr in F minor, KV 608
Adagio and Allegro in F minor, KV 594

CD 2
WILLIAM WALTON: Crown Imperial – A Coronation March (arr. Herbert Murill)
JEREMIAH CLARKE: The Prince of Denmark’s March (arr. Simon Preston)
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL: Dead March (from Saul, HWV 53) (arr. F. Cunningham Woods)
JEREMIAH CLARKE: Trumpet Tune (attributed to Purcell) (arr. C.H. Trevor)
EDWARD ELGAR: Imperial March, Op. 32 (arr. George C. Martin)
LOUIS VIERNE: Final (from Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 14 for Organ)
RICHARD WAGNER: Pilgrims’ Chorus (from Tannhäuser) (arr. Lemare)
ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: March on a theme of Handel, Op. 15
ROBERT SCHUMANN: Study No. 5 (from Six studies for pedal piano, Op. 56) (arr. John E. West)
KARG-ELERT Marche Triomphale: Nun danket alle Gott, Op. 65
CHARLES MARIE WIDOR: Toccata (Allegro) (from Symphony No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42 No. 1 for Organ)

Simon Preston, organ
Organ of Westminster Abbey