ORGAN RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 102, 24 January 1930, Page 8

ORGAN RECITAL

PRAISE FOR ALL SAINTS I’alinerston North, January 23. “I had no idea an organ such as this could be built in New Zealand. It exceeds my expectations one hundredfold,” said Dr. V. E. Galway, of Dunedin, after giving one of the finest organ recitals heard in this town on the beautiful new instrument at ji.ll Saints’ Church last night. Dr. Galway was full of admiration for the instrument, and the audience for his beautiful and sympathetic rendering of classics often not fully appreciated. Dr. Galway proved himself an adept in the art of blending organ tone and excelled with works requiring an adaption of the organ to orchestral effects. Mr. H. Barry Coney, of Auckland, who was associated with Dr, Galway, was in fine voice and has never been heard to better advantage locally. After prayers the programme opened with Handel’s “Concerto’in F Major.” Then followed three charming Bach choral preludes. The fourth number was Bach’s delightful “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.” The Holy Nativity song “The Holy Child” was interpreted in a very delicate manner by Mr. Barry Coney. Guilmant was represented on the programme by his “Sonata in D Minor,” and opportunity for some wonderfully expressive playing was given by an orchestral transcription, the largo from the “New World Symphony” by Dvorak. The “Prelude to Act V, King Manfred,” was transcribed by the recitalist, who also rendered “Scherzo,” by Dr. T. Haigh, who played it on the old All Saints’ organ shortly before his departure for Sydney and his death. Mr. Barry Coney excelled himself with “Alleluia,” an arrangement by O’Connor Morris of the popular air. Further excellent orchestral registration was given by Dr. Galway in Debussy’s prelude to “A Blessed Damosel.” The “Andante Cantabile,” by Widor, and “March Solonelle,” by Mailly, were the. two final numbers. The recital, which fittingly brought to a close the annual conference of the New Zealand Society of Professional Teachers of Music, closed with prayers and the Benediction.