Frederik Magle:Like A Flame
One of the joys of being a music explorer is that I often have no idea what I am about to hear when I put on a record I’ve been sent in the post or picked up at a charity shop.
I received this one in the post this morning in a parcel of 3 CDs and plopped it into my machine on the basis of the cover illustration, which seemed to have a somewhat Science Fictiony air about it.
The very first chord sent a shiver down my spine. I was hooked.
It has to be said that this sort of music is not for the ears of just anyone. I’d say you have to be a certain type of listener to want to have to travel the path that Frederik lays down. He is a composer/player of great depth – his instrument is the organ which he dominates with the control of an ubermeister.
And the path you are led on is similar to Bilbo’s experience traversing The Mirkwood in 'The Hobbit' – you are alternately shaken and stirred by dark, DARK, images which fill you with dread – afraid even to cast a glance over your shoulder sometimes for fear of that which you might glimpse darting into the shadows there….
The mood is not totally unrelenting. There are lighter moments – by this I mean there are moments in which the horror is not quite as daunting and omnipresent….
I cannot say a lot more by way of description. Looking back at what I have said - it clearly a very subjective reaction to this excellent music you’ve read here. I daresay a different reviewer – perhaps one with a vast experience of listening to organ music – might have quite different things to say and opinions to express. But mine is this….
Here is a deep dark recording of absolutely top value. Listen to it carefully – just in small chunks if you’re a person of nervous disposition and certainly not as something to lull you off to sleep. It could give you NIGHTMARES.
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