In the Garden: Rainy Day (2002)

Thomas Åberg was born in Stockholm 1952 and works there as composer and music administrator. Most of his works are written for the organ and are characterised by their rhythmical joy, simplicity and humour. His music has been performed by organists at festivals throughout Europe and also in Japan and the USA. He also tours regularly as concert organist with his own works.

You can learn more about him from his website - https://abergmusic.com/

"Rainy Day" dates from 2002 and is the third work in the trilogy, "In the garden."

Åberg writes that these works were composed during a "bleak period of my life," and are a form of "unconscious self-therapy for life's more difficult crossroads."

I had already recorded the big movement of the three, "Frosty Morning" all the way back in 2012. I used the Dortmund Sauer organ for that recording, so, I felt it was essential that I use the same instrument for these two movements. While, I really liked the effect that it made for "Frosty Morning," it was a little less pleasing for these two movements, largely because there are several soft notes that tend to "throb and pulse" when held for a long duration.

Also, too many registration changes are counter-productive to the spirit of the music, but I could not confine myself completely, and attempted to lightly "colorize" the delicate music.

I will leave it to my listeners to see if they approve or not. :-)

If you like this week, I strongly urge you to listen to "Frosty Morning," which you can find here.

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/6504

A photo of Thomas Åberg is attached below.