Commissioned for the 60th anniversary St Albans International Organ Festival 2023

Composer's note: St Alban was conceived for a 3-manual organ but can be adapted for a smaller or larger instrument.

  • org +
  • Organ
  • 6 min 30 s

Programme Note

This tone poem for organ borrows its theme from the life of St Alban, known as the first British Christian martyr. Alban sheltered a priest in his home, who was trying to evade persecution as a Christian. The priest, known as 'Amphibalus', wore a thick cloak. Later, when Roman soldiers came searching for Amphibalus, Alban himself donned this cloak, and was eventually martyred in his place.

The music first presents a transparent scene of natural sounds; then, in the background pedal part, a simple plainsong-like scale is slowly discovered. This is the first sighting of the 'musical cloak' which, through the duration of the piece, gradually thickens, and takes over the foreground musical material, culminating in triumphant, fervent sounds of beatification.

Programme note © 2022 Judith Weir

Discography

Judith Weir & Jonathan Dove: Organ Works

Judith Weir & Jonathan Dove: Organ Works
  • Label
    Resonus
  • Catalogue Number
    B0CZ9RSMYT
  • Soloist
    Thomas Corns
  • Released
    May 2024

More Info

  • New album of Weir and Dove Organ Works
    • New album of Weir and Dove Organ Works
    • 5th June 2024
    • On this album, the organ works of Joanthan Dove and Judith Weir intertwine, revealing a shared fascination with the organ’s pictorial prowess, particularly in the depiction of watery motifs.