Toccata, Fugue and Hymn on "Ave Maris Stella", Op. 28

Flor Peeters' Toccata, Fugue and Hymn on 'Ave Maris Stella' (1931) is the most celebrated work of the Belgian organist-composer and one of the essential pieces of the 20th-century organ repertoire. Peeters — perhaps the greatest Belgian organist of his generation, professor at the Royal Flemish Conservatory for over 40 years — weaves the ancient Marian plainchant through three contrasting movements: a brilliant toccata that places the cantus firmus in the pedal against cascading manual figuration, a rigorous Baroque-influenced fugue, and a luminous closing hymn that brings the chant to its most radiant statement. The work demands technical mastery of both manuals and pedals while presenting the performer with profound expressive opportunities. It is a touchstone of both the Belgian organ tradition and the wider 20th-century neo-classical organ movement.