Frederick Stocken - St Raphael (second movement of Archangels)

Frederick Stocken playing his Archangels on the Grant, Degens & Bradbeer organ at St Mary's, Woodford, London. (Sound recording by Lucia Aiche, video by Viveca Dutt)

Programme notes by the composer:

Archangels was inspired by the three archangels in the Bible. St Gabriel dwells upon the events of the Annunciation. The quiet hymn-like chords of the opening imagine the initial appearance of St Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary in an atmosphere of mystery and solemnity. These chords and its simple bass melody are repeated and developed during the course of the piece as the musical temperature gradually rises. The final climax imagines the moment when Our Lady assents to becoming the Mother of God. St Raphael contemplates the healing actions of the archangel as described in the book of Tobit. This meditation on the subject of healing, and especially spiritual healing, is depicted by music that is serene and tranquil; it unfolds slowly, often using long sequences, and enjoying the quieter sounds of the organ. St Michael was inspired by the account of the archangel in the book of Revelation; at the end of time St Michael is victorious over Satan. This final movement of the triptych is a vigorous toccata with the melody usually in the pedals. In all three pieces I had in my mind those classic images of the archangels as supremely magnificent creatures with gigantic wings -- the figuration in each movement is intended to convey something of the movement of those celestial wings.
www.frederickstocken.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical music
• Raphael (archangel)
• organ
• Frederick Stocken