The Harmonies of Peace (1986)

Reginald Smith Brindle (1917–2003) — The Harmonies of Peace (1986) for organ
Carson Cooman organ

English composer Reginald Smith Brindle (1917–2003) was born in Cuerdon, Lancashire. Although pushed by his parents into training and qualifying as an architect, he found his true calling for the organ and composition after attending a recital at Chester Cathedral in 1937. During service in Africa for World War II, he took up the guitar, which would remain a lifelong interest. Smith Brindle’s lifelong output for the guitar is unmatched in quantity or quality by any British composer. Following the war, Smith Brindle studied composition at the University College of North Wales (Bangor) and continued his studies in Italy with Ildebrando Pizzetti, Luigi Dallapiccola (composition), and Fernando Germani (organ). During his time in Italy, he met his future wife, Giulia Borsi. Smith Brindle’s interest and expertise in contemporary Italian music would be significant for the rest of his life. His compositional output can be divided into three periods: tonal until 1951, 12-tone until about 1970, and a free period until his retirement from composition in 2000. During this final period, many compositions were for his own instruments of guitar or organ. Smith Brindle served on the faculty of the University College of North Wales (1957–67) and the University of Surrey (1970–81). Beginning in 1933, he was also active as a painter, exhibiting in London and elsewhere.