Cityscape Toccata, op. 17

D.B.Wilkinson: (b.1993)

Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, Daniel was encouraged to play an instrument by his father. He took up the trumpet for a short while but didn’t like the idea of having to perform in front of an audience and so sought out an instrument he could “hide” behind. After hearing the ‘Hornpipe’ played on his school organ and feeling the room shake from the 32’ pipes he decided to try the playing organ. He immediately fell in love with it and consequently played his first concert on that organ in 2005 at the age of 12 with his own transcription of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ by Andrew Lloyd-Webber.
Daniel began lessons with Chris Totney at Dauntsey’s School at where he received a high commendation for his performance of ‘Epitaph’ (Vierne) and Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne’ (Buxtehude). He later began taking lessons with Dr. Richard Godfrey, Organ advisor for the Salisbury diocese and one of the founders of The Lyme Regis Organ School (of which he is an Honorary Member). He continued with tuition at the Lyme Regis Organ School from accomplished recitalists such as Anne Marsden-Thomas and Philip Scriven.

He started experimenting with improvisation and composition and began writing music for the organ primarily, but also symphonic, choral, and other chamber works. Currently he is studying Civil Engineering at the University of Plymouth and writing his 1st Piano Concerto, 1st Symphony and numerous other works for Organ.

This contemporary Toccata is modern without being overly dissonant - a fine new piece! Score and sample pages available at: http://www.evensongmusic.net/?page_id=454