Léon Boëllmann

Toccata from 'Suite Gothique'

Leon Boellmann (1862-1897) was known in his short life as a dedicated teacher, gifted composer, and an excellent organist. He left 68 public works, among which the best known are 'Variations Symphoniques for Cello and Orchestra', a symphony, and 'Fantasie Dialoguee for Organ and Orchestra'. Perhaps his most famous for organ is his 'Suite Gothique'. The Toccata is the final movement of the suite, and such is the dark mood created by the composer, that one might imagine that this music was composed to accompany a silent horror movie. Instrumentation: 3 standard flutes, alto flute and bass flute.