ORGAN RECITAL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 15

ORGAN RECITAL

Programme In Cathedral

The large crowd who attended the recital at the Christchurch Cathedral at lunch time yesterday was rewarded by hearing a programme finely arranged and beautifully performed. The players were Mr C. Foster Browne, the Cathedral organist, and Mr David Stone, leader of the University of Canterbury Trio, and they presented a recital of works by J. S. Bach. Mr Foster Browne opened the recital with three Chorale Preludes, nicely contrasted in character, and showing some of the range of mood and technique of which Bach was master. The first was the Advent Prelude, “Sleepers Wake.” This Mr Browne played with a strong bright tone that was well suited to the masculine expectancy of the writing. The pedal part was clear and very neatly played, but the stops used made it a little ponderous. The next prelude, “Christ. Thou Lamb of God.” was most beautifully registered, and the performance was a model of grace and clarity. The third and last was "Rejoice. Beloved Christians.” and Mr Browne played it with great ebullience.

David Stone then played the first of the Partitas or Sonatas for solo violin, that in G minor. Apart from some uneasiness in the second movement, his performance was technically and musically most satisfying. He played with precision and sureness, and was equally authoritative in the sparkling brilliance of the last movement or the meditative tenderness of the third. The recital concluded with Mr Foster Browne’s playing of the great Toccata in C major. The organ is the king of instruments, and this was a royal performance. —K.H.