ORGAN RECITAL

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 18

ORGAN RECITAL

An organ recital wa (given by Graham Hollobo (in the ” Cathedral of th Blessed Sacrament on Wed inesday evening, to an encoui 'agingly large audience. The tempo selected fo • Bach’s great prelude an Fugue in G major permitte; ( appropriately fluent move ment with the maintenanci of clear, unhurried detail. Es jpecially in the Fugue the lis (tener was reminded of G. E 'Cunningham’s fine perform 'ance of the work. I A Ciacona by Pachelbe I explored the range of th ■ softer stops, the recitalis judging carefully and witl (success their tonal qnalitie(and uses in pleasing blends. Mr Hollobon has showi already a commendable indi ( viduality in programme con (struction; and the next iten i (appropriate in the name t< the times) was a set of vari ations on “God Save th; Queen” by W. T. Best, th famous nineteenth centur; concert-organist of S George’s Hall, Liverpool These variations’ ebullienci and naivety brought a smili of recognition for a time long gone by musically. Frank Bridge’s “Adagio' went its dignified way to i fine climax. Of “Three Char acteristic pieces” by thi French organist-composer Langiais, the most attractiv was the third, “Bells.” In some ways, Mozart’; “Andante in F” for mechani (cal organ produced the mos ; charmingly musical playin; in the recital, Mr Hollobon’ (registration, skilful blendin; !and general treatment o

; this music created excellent i effect. ; Mulet’s “Carillon-Sortie” was all that a French toc-cata-type movement is expected to be: superficial • music possibly, but brilliant :(in effect and with impresI sive climax. The recital was given under the auspices of the . Christchurch Arts Festival Committee. —V.G.