Naji HAKIM (b. 1955)
Påskeblomst for Strings (1998) [18:57]
Concerto No. 1 for Organ and Strings (1988) [19:16]
Esquisses Grégoriennes (2006) [13:49]
Concerto No. 3 for Organ and Strings (2004) [23:59]
Jan Lehtola (organ)
St. Michel Strings/Petri Komulainen
rec. Juva Church, Finland, 29 October-2 November 2008. DDD
ALBA ABCD 285 [76:43]
Naji Hakim may be best-known as an organist and a composer of organ music;
but, as this release makes clear, he also composed - and still does - orchestral
music and concertos including one for violin and three for organ. The Second
Organ Concerto is scored for organ and orchestra while the First and Third
Concertos are scored for organ and strings.
Påskeblomst (“Easter Flower”) for strings
is a theme and variations on a hymn composed in 1910 by Carl Nielsen. In fact,
it would probably be more appropriate to describe the various movements as
free fantasias on Nielsen’s hymn tune. The music is by turns serious,
lyrical, meditative and joyfully dance-like, particularly so in the last section.
The whole amounts to a wonderful work, superbly written for strings, full
of contrasts and of nicely judged string textures that sometimes bring Britten’s
equally imaginative Frank Bridge Variations to mind. It definitely
deserves wider exposure.
In the Concerto No.1 for Organ and Strings composed as a commission
from the Dutch Orgelkring Heeswijk organ festival, the organ does not really
stand out but is more like a primus inter pares sometimes playing a
more orchestral part than a truly concerted one. The three movements are laid
out in the traditional mould with two lively outer ones framing a slower,
more meditative central Andante alluding to fragments of plainchant and Gregorian
hymns.
Improvising on plainchant hymn-tunes is part of any organist’s diet;
and, as many other organist-composers before him, Hakim composed paraphrases
on such hymn-tunes. His recent Esquisses Grégoriennes
clearly belong to that tradition of improvisation. The unnamed annotator mentions
that the Esquisses might be regarded as an organ mass in five
movements : Nos autem (Introitus), Ave maris stella (Offertorium),
Pater Noster (Elevation), Ave verum (Communion) and O filii
et filiae (closing music). Whichever way you look at it, this set of improvisations
is remarkably done and full of imagination.
Hakim mentions Debussy, Stravinsky, Poulenc and even Gershwin as models for
and influences on his music. However, Poulenc is the one that immediately
comes to mind when listening to the Concerto No.3 for Organ and Strings
although Hakim’s work is far from being a mere blue-print of Poulenc’s
deservedly popular concerto. The outer movements quite often display that
sort of nonchalance often associated with the French composer with dancing,
carefree, catchy themes that stay with you once heard. The middle movement
is a set of variations “of texture rather than key” on a Maronite
melody. Hakim’s Third Organ Concerto is another marvellous piece and
a most welcome addition to the repertoire. Incidentally this work is dedicated
to Franz Hauk who recorded a number of rare works for organ and orchestra
on the Guild label.
As far as I can judge, performances are excellent and superbly recorded. Jan
Lehtola clearly enjoys the music and plays it with much zest and assurance.
This hybrid CD sounds remarkably well even when played on a normal CD player.
In short, this well-filled release provides an excellent introduction to Hakim’s
generous, honest and superbly crafted music. It will appeal not only to “organ
buffs” but also to those who respond to accessible contemporary music.
Hubert Culot
An excellent introduction to Hakim’s attractive and accessible music
Tracklist
Påskeblomst for Strings 18:57
1. Hymne 0:50
2. Modéré 1:46
3. Tumultueux 0:59
4. Véhément 1:01
5. Recueilli 2:20
6. Gaiement 1:18
7. Animé 0:51
8. Ardent 2:10
9. Orné 2:52
10. Dansant 4:44
Concerto 1 for Organ and Strings 19:16
1. Vivace 7:34
2. Andante 5:02
3. Allegro 6:31
Esquisses Grégoriennes 13:49
1. Nos autem 3:05
2. Ave maris stella 3:09
3. Pater noster 1:36
4. Ave verum 2:19
5. O filii et filiae 3:33
Concerto 3 for Organ and Strings 23:59
1. Allegro 7:51
2. Moderato 8:54
3. Allegro 7:01