Organ Symphony No. 11 (1993)

Bernard Heyes (b. 1951) — Organ Symphony No. 11 (1993)

1) Tree Language
2) Catacoustic Visions
3) You Sing the Unknown
4) The Ring of Spring

“Organ Symphony No. 11” (1993) celebrates elements of the natural world. The first movement, “Tree Language,” is an evocation of the impressive sight of a forest of mature trees. Catacoustics is the science of reflected sound. “Catacoustic Visions” is mysterious, yet powerful music with echo effects, a hypnotic theme, and great contrasts. “You Sing the Unknown” was inspired by the call of a single bird that caught the composer’s attention. “The Ring of Spring” is a triumphant toccata that celebrates the vigor and energy of spring.

English composer Bernard J. D. Heyes (b. 1951) was born in Kent and began his musical studies at age 21. As a composer, he has focused particularly on music for the organ, most especially his extensive cycle of 17 organ symphonies. Heyes’s musical style draws on a variety of influences and diverse sources of inspiration including the natural world (especially gardens and trees), states of transcendence, ancient Greek philosophy, world cultures and places, life, death, and subatomic physics. The result is music of large scale that connects to the organ’s traditional repertoire while also speaking with a profound and individual voice.