ORGAN RECITAL.

Evening Star, Issue 12843, 19 June 1906, Page 6

ORGAN RECITAL.

Bach, Schubert, Rossini, Gmlmant, Wagner, and other celebrated composers were levied upon for the organ recital at Knox Church last night, and Mr W. Paget Gale is to be thanked for competent interpretations of the works chosen for the occasion —works which without an interpreter are far above the understanding of a general audience. This may bo said of even those compositions that we think we know. The ‘ William Tell ’ overture for example. Because everybody is more or less familiar with the quickstep in the finale of this overture, it is generally believed that the. overture as a whole is commonly known, whereas in fact it is rarely performed in its entirety, and when this favor is granted the conception admits of such an endless variety of treatment as to make Rossini’s score new every time. Mr Gale was peculiarly happy in his exposition of the overture last night. As to the popular march, for which all present listened, maybo we have heard it fairly well explored on previous occasions. But the earlier parts of the composition were played with unusual taste, and the picturesque effects of tho pastoral subject have seldom been brought out at a Dunedin concert with such lovely refinement. Tho San key and Moody air turned into an organ piece by Wrigloy proved to be ‘Go, bury thy sorrow.' No doubt many present felt grateful at the inclusion of this in tho programme. The audience could easily follow the melody through all its vicissitudes, and os a matter of opinion we should say that the success achieved .was due as much to Mr Gain as to Mr Wrigley. The next organ piece consisted of three numbers of Mailing’s ‘Dio Geburt Christi,’ a work illustrating the story of the life and death of Jesus. No. 1 has for its subject the bends in the fields. No. 2 tho three wise men, No. 3 Bethlehem. Originality and wealth, of descriptive detail mars these movements, and from what was heard last night of the music itself and the able .interpretation, a further treat may be expected when Mr Gale brings forward the other numbers at subsequent recitals. Bach’s prelude and fugue in Q major gave weight to the programme. It requires careful treatment, the subject of the fugue being not so simple as some of Bach’s, and the musicians present were pleased to find that the organist took special pains to make everything quite clear. The andante con moto that forms the second movement of Schnbort’s unfinished symphony in D minor may be counted one of the most enjoyable items of the evening. It is a stream of lovely melody, in tho development of which Mr Gale employed the reed solo stops with fascinating effect. This is the kind of work in whieft the Knox Church organ is heard at its very host. A simple piece by Wendt, entitled ‘ Cantique d'Amour,’ followed, and was duly appreciated, and then the audience had the pleasure of listening to a lovely caprice, by tho French organist Guifanant, that compelled close attention by its dainty and frequent changes. In conclusion Mr Galo played ‘ Dor Ritt der Walkurcn,’ from Wagner's ‘ Die Walkure.’ This is a tremendous undertaking for the organ, as may be understood from the fact that the original score brings in thirty-six instruments apart from the strings, clouds of fiery running passages for tho reeds overhanging the motive—the gait of galloping horses—assigned to brass, bassoons, and ’cellos. It was a daring thing for anybody to attempt to transcribe such a gigantic work for the organ; it is an enormous task for an organist to perform what the transcriber baa set down ; but what was accomplished last night provides the justification for both. To state that all present thoroughly understood the performance would be to assume the impossible. Perhaps Mr Gale may before long see his way to repeat this ‘ Ride of tho Valkyries,’ and thus give the public a further insight into the music and a fuller appreciation of the interpretation. Meanwhile wo feel safe in expressing a general sense of gratitude to Mr Galo for bringing this wonderful work to our notice, and it may be added that so far as wo could follow the playing it was masterly in every respect. Two singoia appeared at intervals during tlio evening—Mrs Ivory and Mr G. Sutherland—and their contributions were duly appreciated.