Remember Me (from Organ Symphony No. 6) (1995–96)

Bernard Heyes (b. 1951) — Remember Me (from Organ Symphony No. 6) (1995–96)

“Organ Symphony No. 6” (1995–96) consists of movements that have connections to ancient Greek and Roman culture. “Remember Me” is a toccata written to mark the tercentenary of the death of the great English composer Henry Purcell. The title and the rhythm of the opening motive comes from Purcell’s opera “Dido and Aeneas,” which itself is based on scenes from Virgil’s “Aeneid,” the story of Aeneas, the founder of Rome.

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 20 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.

Published by Heyes Music (bernardheyes.org.uk)