Flights of Fancy: Organ Book

Albright's imaginative approach to organ repertoire makes this collection a refreshing alternative to the standard diet of Bach and Buxtehude. The 60-page selection demonstrates his gift for writing music that is simultaneously modern in language and genuinely playable, making it an excellent addition to programs seeking contemporary voices.

These pieces capture a sense of playful energy tempered by sophisticated harmonic thinking. Albright's writing sparkles with rhythmic vitality and structural clarity, inviting performers to inhabit music that feels modern without sacrificing directness or warmth.

Advanced organists seeking contemporary repertoire that combines technical facility with musical substance. This collection works equally well for church musicians expanding their solo concert programming and university students exploring 20th-century organ literature.

• Study the registration suggestions closely; Albright's orchestration of the organ is precise, and the right choice of stops shapes the intended character dramatically.
• Pay attention to articulation markings as carefully as you would tempo indications. They define the rhythmic character and gestural quality of each piece.
• Listen to recordings if available before rehearsing; Albright's harmonic language rewards familiarity before committing fingers to keys.

Use individual pieces as concert openers or finales where you want to signal adventurous programming without alienating your audience. The collection's variety also makes it a strong resource for building recital programs that move fluidly between moods and styles.

• Navigating contemporary harmonic language and tonal structures
• Interpreting 20th-century notation and compositional symbols
• Registration choices and their effect on musical character
• Balancing technical demands with musical expression in modern idiom
• Understanding how organ-specific writing exploits mechanical and acoustic properties