Image: Christ Church Picture Gallery, Oxford
Christ Church, University of Oxford, has announced the release of a new album devoted to the organ music of Professor David Maw. The recording, issued by the classical label Resonus Classics, features internationally acclaimed organist Stephen Farr performing five of Maw’s compositions.
The album, 'Accende lumen sensibus', was released on 21 July 2026, according to the Christ Church news post. It includes five works by Maw played on the recently restored Harrison & Harrison organ of Norwich Cathedral. Christ Church says the recording brings together three major works composed between 2007 and 2010, along with two more recent pieces, and that most of the works are receiving their premiere recordings.
Maw, who is Lecturer in Music at Christ Church and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Oxford, said the album captures an important stage in his development as a composer. In the Christ Church article, he describes the large-scale works on the disc as marking a shift away from composing primarily in miniature forms and toward exploring the organ as a medium for extended expression. He also points to the influence of the French organ tradition in shaping his approach to colour, texture and structure.
The release also highlights the collaboration with Farr, whom Maw identifies as an ideal interpreter for the technically demanding music. Christ Church describes Farr as one of Britain’s foremost concert organists and a champion of both established repertoire and contemporary music. Maw said he had known Farr for a long time and agreed to the recording after Farr suggested it, adding that he had complete confidence in the performer’s interpretation.
Beyond his work as a composer and teacher, Maw is described by Christ Church as an internationally recognised researcher in mediaeval music, music theory and analysis. The notice says his compositions have been performed in the UK and abroad, and that the new album offers the first opportunity to hear several of his major organ works together on a single recording.
Christ Church also says Maw is continuing to work on new compositions, including sketches for an organ concerto. The news post notes that he is looking ahead to further recordings of his more recent choral and organ music, performed by Christ Church Cathedral Choir. 'Accende lumen sensibus' is available now from Resonus Classics.
