ORGAN RECITAL

Evening Star, Issue 18807, 4 December 1924, Page 2

ORGAN RECITAL

A GREAT EXECUTANT Dunedin is fortunate in possessing in the First Oiurch organ an instrument on which the world’s greatest' masterpieces can bo heard in ail their rich beauty and majesty I of tone, and' we aro equally happy in the fact that music-lovers are given frequent I opportunities of hearing it exploited almost |to its infinite' capacity. But a special treat Hvas provided for the large audience in First Church last evening, when Dr i. Haigh, visiting examiner for the Associated Board, and one of the world’s greatest organists, presented in masterly fashion a I programme of outstanding excellence. Dr Haigh explored a wide territory in his selection, though every item reached' such a high standard of musical composition that even the most fastidious could hardly have hoped for a more ambitious and capacitysearching programme. The numbers presented were as follow; —‘Fantasia in F Minor’ (Mozart), Brahms’ two chorals and air, two Wider excerpts (‘Allegro Vivace’ and ‘Allegro Cantabile’), Scliaumann’s ‘ Sketch ’ and ‘ Canon/ Boellmann’s ‘ Suite Gothiquo/ Hollins’s ‘ Concert Overture in C Minor/ Debussy’s ‘ Prelude,’ Eheinberger's ‘ Agitato/ and the organist’s own compositions, ‘ Cradle Song ’ and ‘ Scherzo,’ One of the most impressive of Dr Haigh’s achievements was his dignified interpretations of the imposing and resplendent ‘ Fantasia ’ and the stately and massive ‘ Suite Gothiquo/ the sparkling toccata movements of the latter adding ornate touches to a transcendental number. In striking contrast were the beautiful Brahms’s excerpts, and his own dainty composition, the ‘ Scherzo/ particularly being full of glow and grace. The Schanmnnn ‘ Canon ’ and ‘ Sketch * and the ‘ Concert Overture ’ were other charming numbers.