Reviews

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‘The cumulative effects are of grandeur and tremendous energy, fusing together the church style with elements of the cinema soundtrack. . . Blackburn’s magnificent organ copes brilliantly and Hammond has everything well under control.’ 

(Gramophone, March 2010)

‘Splendidly assured and uninhibited performances’  

(Choir & Organ, July 2010)

‘Hammond gives a fine performance, revelling in the remarkable range of colour available to him on this magnificent organ.’

(International Record Review, May 2010)

‘An accomplished Elgarian plays a heavenly Bristolian organ. . . A sonic treat.’

(Gramophone, July 2010)

‘Well-known melodies are used as musical springboards for Hammond’s imagination and give the listener easy points of reference within his sound-world. Dr. Hammond’s fluency, energy, variety, and sense of colour . . . leave the listener in awe. This disc is an impressive achievement and is recommended listening for serious improvisers and doodlers alike.’

(Organists’ Review, November 2010)

'Hammond has developed his own definitive musical language and expression... Hammond's improvisations are clearly conceived and well-constructed, demonstrating a fecundity of creative ideas. He is a skilled practitioner of thematic transformation and manipulation... he has plenty of technical fire but uses it sparingly, preferring to demonstrate his mastery of varied musical styles... That these improvisations were made during 'leftover' time in 2007 following a recording of the music of Elgar (whose influence is scarcely felt in the improvisation!) is further testament to Hammond's eminent skill as an improviser.'

(The American Organist, May 2011)

‘The playing is expert, accurate, well-shaped, well-articulated, and displays this significant instrument well.’

(Organists’ Review, November 2010)

'Brilliantly performed by Anthony Hammond... He plays the whole programme with superb musicianship and technical command. These compelling performances reveal hidden treasures...'

(The American Organist, May 2011)

"St. Mary's Cathedral and the San Francisco Chapter, AGO, was pleased to co-sponsor an organ recital by Anthony Hammond, in which he played his reconstruction of an organ symphony improvised by Pierre Cochereau on the cathedral's Ruffatti organ in 1972. The recital, which also contained some of Cochereau's favorite repertoire as well as Hammond's own improvisation, was impeccably played and well-received, and the performer received a much-deserved standing ovation. The lecture on the previous day showed the depth of Hammond's research into the subject, which he was able to convey to the attending organists with great clarity."

(Christoph Tietze, Director of Music St. Mary's Cathedral, San Francisco, October 2010)

‘Without doubt the crowning point of the evening was the improvised symphony. The themes were quite disparate, and on first sight I am sure did not lend themselves to easy integration. As a matter of interest I brought along a friend who has taught piano to diploma students for many years, but has organ as his second instrument. After the improvisation he was much reminded of the time in the '50s when he heard Marcel Dupré improvise at the Albert Hall - and even after all these years that event is still clear in his mind.’

(Alf Fortnam, Secretary - Wiltshire and Bath Organists Association)

‘The highlight of the evening was the improvisation. We didn't know quite what to expect but were absolutely amazed at the mastery with which Anthony handled the two themes.’

(Mike Donkin, Director of Music – Oswestry Parish Church)

A Phenomenon without Equal

Sir Edward Elgar: Music for Organ

Improvisations for the Church Year