ORGAN RECITAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 August 1924, Page 4

ORGAN RECITAL.

MR. GODDARD’S FAREWELL PROGRAMME. There was a fair attendance at St. John’s Church last evening when Mr. L. H Goddard, L.A.8., gave his farewell organ recital. The programme, which contained several request numbers played at previous recitals, wa s a very interesting one. The organist’s playing throughout was crisp, and the ease with which he executed the numerous stop changes in order to give the colouring required was, as on previous occasions, a feature of his work. The programme was full of variety, and each item was played artistically, the phrasing and rhythm being carefully observed. Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” with which the programme opened, was played with full appreciation of its meaning, and wa s followed by the delightful “Bois Epais” (Lully), a beautiful air, known better as a violin solo, in which excellent string effects were secured, with oboe, suboctave and tremulant, accompanied by gedakt and later the clarabel. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor showed that Mr. Goddard is thoroughly at home with the great composer, and the parts for hands and feet were clear and played in strict time. The fugue is one of the most difficult, lengthy rapid passages being a severe test. Mr/ Goddard’s technique was equal to the demands. Later in the programme Bach’s “St. Anne” fugue was played, in which the well-known hymn tune could be heard distinctly in the various parts. Three item s ‘for soft stops completed the .first half of the programme—Mozart’s delightful “Adagio” (string quintet), Couperin’s quaint “Chanson Louis' Xin,” and Scarlatti’s “Pastorale”—each being played with good expression, the registration being well balanced. The finale, “Symphony Pathetique” (Tschaikowsky) was the outstanding success of the second part of the program me, rapid stop changes being made to secure the desired colourings. In Guihnant’s “Offertoire on Two Carols” Mr Goddard was hardly at hi s best, but he returned to form in three interesting numbers by Karg-Elert, and in the Guilmant march “Lift up your Heads,” the octave pedalling in the last part being especially effective-. The other items in the / programme were the choral preludes “Martyrdom” (Parry) and “Hark. Hark My Soul” (Dicks), and Perev Fletcher’s “Fountaine Reverie.” The programme was perhaps the heaviest Mr. Goddard has given during his two years in Hawera, and was thoroughly enjoyed hy those present. Mr. Goddard has through his recitals brought to the people many of the greatest compositions for the organ, and he has shown that it is not necessary to have a town hall organ to give interesting renderings. By carefully thought out registration's and quick stop changes it is possible to overcome in a large measure the handicap of a- two-manual instrument as against a three-manual.