Nico Muhly

Fast Cycles

Fast Cycles for Organ is a piece composed by Nico Muhly which appears on organist James McVinnie's album 'Cycles'. The song was commissioned by McVinnie and dates from 2009. A difficult piece, it showcases both the talents of Muhly as composer and the organist who plays it. Fast Cycles draws from Muhly's cyclical composition style, and has been called an 'obsessively driven toccata'. As the piece drives on, the hypnotic qualities of the upper notes of the Organ contrast with the stark and foreboding pedal tones. The dynamics of the piece result in passages of soft beauty and explosive ferocity, climaxing in a closing salvo that is to be played 'as fast as possible'. An exciting piece, Fast Cycles will no doubt show off the virtuosity of the organist who performs it.