b i d e

BIDE is a work for solo organ that allows space and time to focus in on fundamental tonal and timbral roots of the instrument. It is constructed from long tones, chords and silences that through its harmonic arc and careful voicing reveal the essence of each pipe or register and how they interact with acoustic within which organ is housed. The lingering pace of the work is punctuated with moments of silence, at times brief and at others more sustained, and allows space for a more focused awareness of the other barely perceptible sounds in the church that go often unnoticed. The organ, so often associated with bombast and ceremony, softens to mingle gently with the more reflective atmosphere of the church.

BIDE was first performed at the Meakusma Festival (Belgium) in September 2022

(Bide (verb) 1. (intransitive) archaic or dialect - to continue in a certain place or state; stay 2. (intransitive) archaic or dialect to live; dwell 3. (transitive) archaic or dialect to tolerate; endure. Etymology - Old English bīdan; related to Old Norse bītha to wait, Gothic beidan, Old High German bītan)

"….Phillips focused on drone-like, delicate tones, playing the organ gently and leaving seconds of breathing space between the tones."

GROOVE

Maximilian Fritz