James MacMillan

Toccata

Commissioned by John Scott Whiteley, Organist Emeritus of York Minster, who gave the first performance in July 2019 at Gloucester Cathedral as part of the Three Choirs Festival. Cast in a single, eight-minute span the work is structurally a rondo contrasting toccata sections with dance-style material derived from Scottish reel. A wide range of organ textures and musical moods is employed, making for a piece equally satisfying to performer and audience alike. Although intended for a large instrument the Toccata is not defined by the registrations suggested in the score: the musical argument affords highly effective performance on organs of more modest size. A major addition to the solo organ repertory.