Graham Ashton, trumpet; Michael Matthes, organ

SIGNUM SIGCD 306        58’17”

This recording becomes more interesting and challenging as it progresses. Works by da Pesaro and Pachelbel slip past easily, as do the arrangements of Handel’s Sonata in F and Purcell’s Parts upon a Ground. The organ sound is classical, light and pleasing, the trumpet clear and sparkling in the upper registers.

Bach’s familiar D minor Toccata & Fugue seems somewhat out of place amidst the other works. The approach is somewhat frenetic and textures become garbled in the Toccata, though the Fugue is better paced and has greater clarity.

The two modern works are both very pleasing. Graham Ashton’s rather austere Fantasia on a Ground after Purcell makes striking use of the acoustic in Tulle. The opening is so quiet I thought something was wrong with my system.

Roger Steptoe’s Sonata for trumpet and organ is an equally challenging piece though one that recommends itself on subsequent hearing. Tonality is used to create tension, which contrasts impressively with the musical lines spinning out with great beauty.

If the recording seems rather unbalanced it is worth it if only for the items, at beginning and end, which are so splendidly performed. BH