THOMAS ÅBERG (b.1952): Marsch Babacou, I Folkton, Swedenborg Pieces Nos. 1 & 2, In the Garden, 5 Miniatures, Legends Nos. 1, 3 & 6, Postlude, Melody from Tanum, Toccata III.

Description: Prolific organist-composer Åberg writes highly approachable, tonal music, firmly rooted in the classical organ tradition. His hugely enjoyable output belongs in the company of major figures of the past such as Widor, Alain or Dupré, though a fondness for Swedish church music and Scandinavian folk music imparts a northern-European flavor to his vocabulary. The moving Legends and Garden pieces share a disarming simplicity and eloquence, while more energetic works - the Marsch, Postlude and Toccata - exhibit the composer's sense of humor. Sudden discords, bitonal diversions and unexpected melodic inflections suggest a playful tweaking of the listener's expectations, and a sense of the composer saying "You see what I could do if I wanted, but I won't", before returning to his underlying neo-classical or neo-Romantic idiom. Delightful, original miniatures written with complete understanding of the potential of the organ, from intimate chamber textures to full-blown Romantic splendor. Carson Cooman (organ).