One of Australia’s greatest composers, Malcolm Williamson settled in Britain and rose to the position of Master of the Queen’s Music in 1975. He was championed by a number of prominent musical figures and wrote in almost every genre. A skilled keyboard player and a Catholic convert, he wrote for the organ throughout his life and these works reveal his deep immersion in religious music, initially inspired by Messiaen. His instinct for dramatic bravura and colourful registrations can be heard in Résurgence du Feu (Pâques 1959) whilst the beautiful poetic miniatures Little Carols of the Saints reveal deeply human qualities, elements developed more substantially in Mass of a Medieval Saint. Elegy – JFK is fittingly sombre.
Disc 1
Williamson, Malcolm
Peace Pieces
1 Book 1: No. 1. Peace in Childhood 05:40
2 Book 1: No. 2. Peace in Youth 06:22
3 Book 1: No. 3. Peace in Solitude 03:09
4 Book 2: No. 4. Peace in America 08:01
5 Book 2: No. 5. The Wise Men Visit the Prince of Peace 07:02
6 Book 2: No. 6. The Peace of God that Passeth All Understanding 15:43
Disc 2
Résurgence du Feu (Pâques 1959)
1 Résurgence du Feu (Pâques 1959) 05:36
2 Epitaphs for Edith Sitwell
2 No. 1. — 03:07
3 No. 2. — 01:53
Little Carols of the Saints
4 No. 1. The Magdalene in the Garden 04:41
5 No. 2. Francis of Assisi 03:19
6 No. 3. Stephen at Peace 04:11
7 No. 4. Ignatius the Soldier 02:53
8 No. 5. Paul upon Mars Hill 03:16
Elegy, "JFK"
9 Elegy, "JFK" 05:25
Fantasy on This Is My Father's World
10 Fantasy on This Is My Father's World 04:48
Mass of a Medieval Saint
11 Introit 03:06
12 Gradual 01:54
13 Offertory 02:19
14 Communion 04:32
15 Sortie 02:24
Total Playing Time: 01:39:21
