Organist, music meld well

Press, 8 October 1977, Page 6

Organist, music meld well

By C. FOSTER BROWNE An appreciative audience beard beautiful music tastefully presented. at the weekly organ recital in the Cathedral yesterday afternoon. given by Paul Ellis. The programme began with a dignified chaconne (variations over a recurring bass theme) by Couperin. This, played with thoughtful and clear choice of tones, gave satisfying atmosphere, continued in character throughout the first part of a Voluntary in G by William Walond, an eighteenth century composer. The second part of this played with bright flute sounds, had carrying quality and graceful lines.

Bach’s noble Prelude and Fugue in C was played with austere unfolding, and with powerful coherence in the fugue. Both sections were registered clearly, and phrased stylishly. “Trumpet Minuet,” bv Al-, fred Hollins, is a happy] work, by a celebra’ed blind] Scottish organist. It was] written by him for an instrument then in a noble-] man’s castle near Edinburgh. l and now in the Feniple] Church in London. This, organ had. and has. a very' beautiful trumpet stop which inspired Hollins. Mr F.IFs plaved with rhythmic verve and fine effect. It was pleasing to hear a beautiful “Adagio,” bv Frank Bridge, an English composer, i too long neglected. He had; excellent feeling for what sounds well on an organ.; and always wrote with; imagination, as well as with impressive technique. I’ was a tasteful and skilled performance — beautifuliv reg-; istered. Reger’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor and D major made a fine bravura ending j to an excellently chosen pro-] gramme. —C. Foster-Browne, j