The Fantasia and Toccata for organ was composed in 1894 and clearly shows the ways in which Stanford was influenced and inspired by German music, particularly that of Brahms and Mendelssohn. Following the lyrical ending of the dramatic Fantasia, the pedals announce the theme for the Toccata and there begins an exciting roller-coaster ride in which the musical tension builds continuously towards the magnificent conclusion.
from notes by James O'Donnell © 2005
