Arabesque

Gordon Young (October 15, 1919 – October 2, 1998) was an American organist and composer of both organ and choral works. He was born in McPherson, Kansas. His undergraduate degree in music was earned at Southwestern College, Winfield, Kansas. Following that he was a scholarship pupil at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and received his Doctor of Sacred Music from Southwestern in 1964.

Young received 18 consecutive composition annual awards from ASCAP. His published works total over 800, and a number of his church anthems such as his Now Sing We Joyfully unto God, and his organ compositions such as his Prelude in Classic Style, have become standard repertoire.

Young died October 2, 1998 in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.

This work, "Arabesque" appears in a collection titled, "Mixture IV," and was published by Harold Flammer in 1970. Also included are works by Robert Elmore, Richard Purvis, and Alec Wyton.

This is a VERY "French-sounding" piece, as you will discover!

I've used the wonderful Flute Harmonique for the solo sections. Although it is not under expression, it is a small sacrifice considering the beauty of the sound.

Rather than register this in an "American manner," I've tried to be true to the French system, and have attempted to do it all in a way that could be done on the real organ... ;-)

I don't play much of Gordon Young's music, but I really find this one to be wonderful!