MUSIC AT ST. PAUL’S

Evening Star, Issue 17958, 3 May 1922, Page 8

MUSIC AT ST. PAUL’S

Though tho congregation at St. Paul’s Cathedral last night was smaller than is usual at Mr EthelbeH Hcywood's organ recitals, it included) music-1 over a from all

parts of tho city and suburbs and some professionals. Mr Heywood’s playing addresses itself to ail who have ears to hear, and his programmes are made up comprehensively, eo that in subject ami in uerformance the recitals give satisfaction to those who know as well as to those who attend for mere gratification. A prominent feature of last might’s recital was Mendelssohn’s ‘ Sonata in D minor,’ which has for its subject the chorale on tho Lord's Prayer. The chorale itself, as presented amply in tho first movement, was treated masterfully, Mr Heywood getting compactness and) body with a lovely soft tone and 1 perfect balance; and of the developments the final andante movement deserves special mention, the air that is so reminiscent of ‘0 Best in tho Lord being sympathetically given out with charming taste and delightfully accompanied. The listeners were also beguiled with the playing of Bachmaninofl’s ‘ Prelude in 0 sharp minor.’ it is a composition that Mr Heywood dwells on Jovingly, getting abundant variety in restraint, making a great deal of light and delicate contrasts. Tho ‘Grand) Offextoirc for Easter Day,’ by Batiste, is pure organ work, of the standard type, very showy, calling up all the resources of the instrument, and tho opportunities were in general made good use of. There was also good playing in a rhapsody by Saint-Saens—a composition having as its principal subject what is very like an English hunting song. ‘ Le Cygne,’ by tho same composer, was perhaps rather too measured 1 and regular, and some of the congregation would have preferred) the air a trifle more incisive, as from a ’cello; bub there was compensation lor tho faintness in the unbroken relationship of melody and accompaniment. Chopin’s familiar ‘Nocturne in E flat,’ read” lightly and with marked tenderness, pleased) everybody except those who like to abuse the subject by importing trickiness and fancies into it. Mr Heywood's treatment was noticeably chaste and authoritative. Other items in the programme were a meditation and a toccata by Evry and the ‘Fantasia in E flat’ by Best. -Miss Elfrida Barclay, tho vocal soloist of the evening, sang from Gaul’s ‘Ruth’ and) Stainer’s ‘St. .Mary Magd'alen,’ and) used) her agreeable voice to advantage by adopting, an .unaffected style. ;