States Organists' Review: “David Butterworth performs a compelling programme of fine music expertly chosen to demonstrate the individual character of each organ. … Butterworth plays fluently and intelligently … a steady, natural, lively, musicianship is most reassuring, revealing composers' styles well. … The CD sounds very well.”

This DVD/CD set includes one DVD of 101 minutes duration and a CD of about 67 minutes of music. The DVD is a filmed performance of all of the music on the CD, plus seven more works as well as a 15-minute documentary, Towards a Modernist Organ. Actually, five organs are represented in the tour: the magnificent 1909 J.J. Binns 4-manual, 63-rank organ of the Albert Hall; 1973 Marcussen 25-stop organ in St Mary's Church; the ca. 1690 Gerard Smith organ (attributed) at Wollaston Hall to which a second manual was added ca. 1760-1799, probably by Henry Holland; a small and early Beckerath organ, and a 1975 Grant, Degens and Bradbeer 2-18 organ now located in David Butterworth's home.

Works on DVD and CD:
NICHOLAUS BRUHNS: Praeludium in G
ANON: Alman from Fitzwilliam Virginal Book
ANON: Fancy from Musica Britannica
THOMAS TOMKINS: Voluntary in G
JOHN STANLEY: Introduction-Allegro
NAJI HAKIM: Fanfare for Nottingham
JOHN IRELAND: Elegiac Romance
C. HUBERT H. PARRY: Fantasia and Fugue in G
J. P. E. HARTMANN: Sonata in G Minor
JESPER MADSEN: Op, al den ting, som Gud hat gjort
JESPER MADSEN: Se, nu stigerolen op
JESPER MADSEN: Denne et dagen, som Herren har gjort
J. S. BACH: Passacaglia & Fugue in C Minor, BWV 582

Additional Works and Film on DVD:
ORLANDO GIBBONS: Praeludium from Parthenia
ANON: Voluntary from Musica Britannica
LASSE TOFT ERIKSEN: Lover den Herre
J. GOTTFRIED WALTHER: Chorale Prelude: Lobt Gott, Ihr Gristen, allzugleich
J. S. BACH: Second Movement, Pastorale in F, BWV 590
J. S. BACH: Fantasia in C, BWV 573
DIDERIK BUXTEHUDE: Chorale Prelude: Nun komm', der Heiden Heiland

Nottingham boasts a fine collection of organs of richly diverse character. Towards a Modernist Organ showcases some of the city’s best instruments, including the magnificent 1909 J.J. Binns 4-manual, 63-rank organ of the Albert Hall and the stunning 1973 Marcussen 25-stop organ in the church of St Mary.

David Butterworth’s compelling programme ranges from modern Danish pieces by Madsen and Eriksen (never recorded before) that work perfectly on the Marcussen organ, to major works by Parry, Ireland and Hakim for the Binns. Delicate pieces by Gibbons, Tomkins and Stanley allow the historic instrument (attr. ca. 1690 Gerard Smith / 1760-99 Henry Holland) at Wollaton Hall to sound at its best. Bonus tracks by Bach, Buxtehude and Walther show off a ca. 1957 organ by von Beckerath in the German Lutheran Church and a model organ built in 1975 by Grant, Degens and Bradbeer.

These fine performances are featured on both CD and DVD (on which they are in full 5.1 surround sound). As well as the filmed performances, the DVD also includes a 15-minute film exploring the history of the five organs. The inspiration for the film’s title comes from the stunning ‘modernist’ Marcussen organ in St Mary’s Parish Church. David designed this organ, and was also involved in the restoration or installation of the other organs featured.

The DVD is a filmed performance of the music on the CD, plus seven additional tracks. The DVD features full 5.1 surround sound. To this is added a fifteen minute documentary and an illustrated booklet with details of all the organs.