CATHEDRAL ORGANIST

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 16

CATHEDRAL ORGANIST

Final Recital Of Series A very large audience, again including a high proportion of men. heard the fourth and last of a series of organ recitals given by Mr C Foster Browne in the Anglican Cathedral, yesterday. Public response to the invitation to hear these recitals in a well-ldt and wellheated building has been so encouraging that the hope is entertained that a further series will be given by Mr Foster Browne later in the year.

A well-varied programme based on hymn tunes and beginning arrestingly with Puncell’s prelude on ‘‘Old Hundredth” held the attention of the audience throughout. The Bach preludes were those on “Sleepers Wake!”. “O Sacred Head." and ‘‘Now Thank We All Our God.” the quiet and reflective mood of the second contrasting effectively with the virile onward movement of the first and the loud acclamation of the third.’ All three provided examples of Bach's contrapuntal genius ait the service of musical expression. Another interesting contrast wa = Brahms’ treatment, of “O Sacred Head” with that of Bach in mood and harmonic resource. Two later English composers were represented. C. H. H. Parry and Harold Darke, the first by his prelude on “O Come and Mourn” and the second by a similar work on ‘‘How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds." Both were delightfully played with skilfully contrasted quiet tones. During the Parry item it became noticeable that traffic noises from the Square outside were making the pianissimo sounds almost inaudible.

The strong harmony and magnificent rolling tones of Max Reger's prelude on ‘‘God Is a Stronghold and a Tower” were heard to excellent effect, and Sigfrid Karl-Elert's composition on “Praise the Lord, My Soul" brought to mind Milton's “pealing organ,” so exactly did it produce the right exultant mood Today, ait 1.10 p.m. in the Cathedral, the Cathedral Choristers, conducted by Mr Foster Browne, will give a performance for the University School of Music.—V.G.