Georgi Mushel - Toccata - Ben Bloor

[@arthurrobson2002]

Brilliant as ever. Thanks Ben

[@grahamtwist]

A brilliant performance, Ben, on this wonderful Father Willis Organ: bravo! I first heard Mushel's 'Toccata' many moons ago in my early teens in a thrilling recording made by Noel Rawsthorne at Liverpool Cathedral. The story goes that Noel, who was the first British organist to play in the then USSR, met Mushel while on tour and was dismayed to find the young composer prohibited by the Soviet authorities from performing his own compositions. This supposedly prompted Noel to bring the piece back to Britain and edit it for publication. An embellishment of the story even suggests that Mushel accosted Rawsthorne and pressed the manuscript into his hands, with the latter subsequently implored to make a playing version! However, another commentator I have read states that Noel never actually met Mushel; nor was he presented with a manuscript by the composer: the story is just folklore. If I remember correctly, Mushel was born in the Ukraine, received his musical education at the Moscow Conservertoire and was eventually sent to Tashkent in Uzbekistan, as you mention, Ben, where his job was to introduce approved main-stream Russian music and teach the locals. He taught at the Tashkent Conservatory and was all part of the communist, cultural integration plan, where composers were expected to absorb the 'music of the people' (which in the case of Tashkent, probably meant music derived from Persia). The Toccata is in fact the middle movement of the 'Uzbekistan Suite', which in order consists of Aria, Toccata and Fugue. I've never heard the two outer movements . . . so perhaps one day, Ben, you might perform the whole Suite for us!

[@iantaf5559]

One of the first toccata pieces I had a go at. Always amazed at the energy of the piece and the almost 'Mexican-like' feel of the middle section. Certainly a departure from the more traditional style of toccata but a great favourite to play. Thanks Ben.

[@andrewloose3419]

I don’t know this piece - it certainly has rhythm, movement and energy - all amply demonstrated in this performance.

[@michaelhowarth4302]

A lovely piece...I hope you play it at your Blackburn Cathedral recital in February!

[@mspg2]

Great to hear something from Uzbeckistan - interesting Ben.

[@dr.christopherwilkinson2482]

I had two recordings of this as a young student. NR at Liverpool and one by a dear old thing, Dilys Lloyd, at St Mary's Swansea. The Liverpool recording was - typically NR. Very exciting. The Swansea recording was played at a quarter of the speed and was, frankly, a bit of a disaster!

[@JonathanSilverton-ol7kn]

For people of my age this brings back memories of Harry Gabb.

[@gilesgilbertscott]

Re Graham Twist’s comments there were actually two NR recordings, the first I think was an EP and the second on an LP added Noel’s own cadenza which ended with a pedal glissando! I remember Noel returning from Russia to Liverpool Cathedral bringing the Mushel score with him. He arranged publication by OUP with his registration suggestions for the repeated sections which I see Ben doesn’t employ. I can’t throw any light on how Noel acquired the score unfortunately.