Toccata No. 17 (2018)

Thomas Åberg (b. 1952) — Toccata No. 17 (2018) for organ

“Toccata No. 17” (2018) was written for the 60th birthday of Dutch organist Everhard Zwart. Åberg’s toccata cycle to date falls into two temporal groups: #1–12 (1981–1990) and #13–20 (2013–2019). The toccatas in the second group combine elements of Åberg's earlier works of the 1980s and 90s with the influence from minimalism that he had explored in various works during the 90s and 2000s. “Toccata No. 17” is built from a series of warm harmonies that are expanded and contracted to form both rhythmic groups and chords. The overall trajectory of the work leads to an increase in energy, culminating in the whirling patterns of the final section.

Thomas Åberg (b. 1952) was born in Stockholm, Sweden and works there as composer and concert organist. Most of his works are written for the organ and are often characterized by their rhythmic joy, simplicity, and humor. He has stated that “music must bring enjoyment, without abandoning reverence,” and as such his style often uses the most basic of musical materials to create a discourse that is both spiritual and visceral. Åberg’s music speaks with a distinctly Swedish voice and emotional aesthetic, and since the early 1980s his works have become an important part of the Scandinavian organ literature. His music has been performed by organists at festivals throughout Europe, Asia, and the USA. He also tours regularly worldwide as concert organist with his own works. In December 2012, Carson Cooman released a CD (Legends in the Garden) devoted to Åberg’s organ compositions and has also recorded more than 70 other Åberg works for YouTube.

Published by Svensk Musik (SMIC) (https://www.svenskmusik.org/en)