Angels of Creation Sebastian Thomson

• Thomas Hewitt Jones (b. 1984):
• 1 Angels of Creation 07:10
• David Briggs (b. 1962):
• 2 Berceuse for Organ 05:28
• 3 Toccata for St. Matthew's Day 07:00
• Simon Whalley:
• 4 Festal paean 04:44
• David Bednall (b. 1979):
• 5 Rhapsody for Organ 11:43
• Philip Moore (b. 1943):
• 6 Variations on "Noël nouvelet" 04:43
• Neil Cox (b. 1955):
• 7 Laudate 06:19
• John Hosking (1806 - 1882): The 14 Stations of the Cross:
• 8 The 14 Stations of the Cross: I. Jesus Is Condemned to Death 01:44
• 9 The 14 Stations of the Cross: II. Jesus Is Given His Cross 02:01
• 10 The 14 Stations of the Cross: III. Jesus Falls the First Time 01:20
• 11 The 14 Stations of the Cross: IV. Jesus Meets His Mother 01:34
• 12 The 14 Stations of the Cross: V. Simon of Cyrene Carries the Cross 02:32
• 13 The 14 Stations of the Cross: VI. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus 02:32
• 14 The 14 Stations of the Cross: VII. Jesus Falls the Second Time 01:13
• 15 The 14 Stations of the Cross: VIII. Jesus Meets the Daughters of Jerusalem 01:43
• 16 The 14 Stations of the Cross: IX. Jesus Falls the Third Time 01:09
• 17 The 14 Stations of the Cross: X. Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments 02:13
• 18 The 14 Stations of the Cross: XI. Crucifixion (Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross) 00:57
• 19 The 14 Stations of the Cross: XII. Jesus Dies on the Cross 03:41
• 20 The 14 Stations of the Cross: XIII. Jesus' Body Is Removed from the Cross 02:22
• 21 The 14 Stations of the Cross: XIV. Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb and Covered in Incense 01:58
• 22 The 14 Stations of the Cross: XV. Resurrection 02:12
• Total Runtime 01:16:18

Info for Angels of Creation

The Angels of Creation commissions are a collection of organ works composed for and premiered by Sebastian Thomson. The project’s inception began with David Bednall’s Rhapsody, which was premiered at St Paul’s Cathedral in 2010. All subsequent commissions—Simon Whalley’s Festal Paean, Thomas Hewitt Jones’ Angels of Creation (from which the title of the project originates), Neil Cox’s Laudate, and most recently, John Hosking’s Fourteen Stations of the Cross —have been premiered at Keble College, Oxford. Additional contemporary works by David Briggs and Philip Moore compliment this recording.

"It is rare that one hears such a gratifying combination of new music, new organ and young player. Sebastian Thomson impresses in not only performing this collection of pieces with great verve, but also being responsible for their commission. The Tickell organ sounds exotically French for the music of David Briggs and David Bednall, and robustly English for Philip Moore’s fine variations on Noël nouvelet or Thomas Hewitt Jones’s title track, Angels of Creation. All the works of this disc are fine contributions to the organ repertory, with half the disc devoted to John Hosking’s The Fourteen Stations of the Cross – a dramatic exploitation of moods, colours and emotions." (Choir & Organ Magazine)

"There is a palpable freshness about this exciting and eclectic programme. Every composer brings his own harmonic and melodic palette to the table. Words alone cannot begin to describe the emotional and dramatic content of this outstanding programme. None of this, of course, would be possible without the breath-taking input of the stunning organist, Sebastian Thomson, about whom we should know and hear much more!" (Editor's Choice in Organists' Review September 2017)

Sebastian Thomson, organ

Sebastian Thomson
was a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford before moving to Harrow School with the top music scholarship. Sebastian studied at Bristol University before holding positions at Chichester Cathedral, St Matthew's Church Northampton, Eton College and most recently, Bloxham School.

Currently, Sebastian continues to pursue a freelance career as a choral conductor and organist based in Oxford. Having studied the organ with David Goode and David Briggs, he is in demand as both a recitalist and an accompanist. His recent solo engagements include recitals at Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, King’s College Cambridge, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Sebastian has made appearances as a performer and speaker on local and national television and radio. Whilst Acting Assistant Organist at Bath Abbey, Sebastian accompanied the Abbey Choir for their Christmas Day service on BBC Radio 4. He was also invited to play at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, in 2017. Sebastian is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and a prize winner in the Choral Training Diploma examination from the College.

Sebastian conducts The Howells Voices, a mixed voice choir inspired by the music of Herbert Howells. The choir takes occupancy 3 times a year in Britain’s Cathedrals and has often been described as one of the very best visiting choirs around. Recent venues include, Winchester, Westminster Abbey and York Minster. In 2015, Ian Carpenter was commissioned to write “Holy is the true light” for the choir’s tour to Gloucester Cathedral for the Feast of All Saints.

Sebastian is gaining a reputation for commissioning new works. The Angels of Creation Commissions are a collection of organ works composed for and premiered by Sebastian. So far, David Bednall, Simon Whalley, Thomas Hewitt Jones, Neil Cox, John Hosking, Daniel Saleeb and Francis Pott have written for this project. His recent CD "Angels of Creation" received a 5 star review in Choir and Organ publication and awarded "Editor's Choice" in Organists' Review.

This album contains no booklet.