ORGAN RECITAL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 216, 11 September 1908, Page 5

ORGAN RECITAL.

. MR MAUGHAN BARNETT'S I VISIT. ! There was only a fair audience at St. Andrew's Church last evening to hoar tho iirst of Mr Marxian Bar- ; nett's organ recitals, and those who stayed away missed v, hat might be the musical feat of a iliotirae. Every item on the programme was played with an expression and force that ; made one follow the music with almost breathless intensity, and the performance revealed something of what can be done by a great player on even a small instrument. The performance opened with Meni delssohn's thirdssonataa —a fine piece, very finely played. The main feature was a fugue with two subjects. The piece was one of Mendelssohn's bestknown sonatas, the fugue being particularly noteworthy. Mendelssohn was indeed a worthy follower of the great fugue writer Bach, and probably nobody else has written fugues worthy of being classed with those of the greab counterpuntalist. The second piece, " Meditation " (St. Clair), waa indeed beautiful and stoul-stir-ring, yet withal quiet and very expressive. In its opening parts it somewhat resembles Lemare's Andantino. Mr Maughan Barnett literally mad© the instrument speak during the rendering of this fine, thoughtful item. The gavotte from Handel's old opera " Otho" seemed to be a favourite with the audience. The old opera music of Handel is heard too seldom nowadays; people are apt to forget that the dainty music of his operas has very great merit, when they are so used to hearing the great composer's name mentioned, almost exclusively in connection with "The Messiah" arid similar grand oratorios. The Fugue in G Minor (Bach) was a magnificent piece of music, and magnificently played— quite the feature of the recital- Mr Barnett Is a well-known exponent of the music of Bach, and in his hands a fugue becomes, not a mere exposition of coimterpuntal skill, but a composition of rare beauty and sustained interest. Although in the minor,key, the piece is not at all sad, but is joyous and mirthful. The pedalling was very fine; and the registration exceptionally clever and effective. "Angels of Jesus " (Spinney) was very pretty, and commended itself to the audience, many, saying that they liked it better than any other item. The piece served to show off the fine technique and the different stops of the organ. The impror visation was indeed a wonderful exposition of musical skill and artistic work. Jn some respects it stands out above any other piece on the programme, giving greater scope for the display ot individuality than any of the set pieces. It may truly be said to.have been a remarkable performance. Mr Barnett chose for his theme Sullivan's setting of "Onward, Christian Soldiers," first playing a beautiful introduction which foreshadowed the theme. There were many variations all of which were exceHent, one in particular which was played as a short fugarto, showing an undoubtedly cultured temperament and profound scholarship. A romance from Wagner's " Tannhauser " was full of good music, and was played with expression and feel- [ ing. Tho Festal March (Calkin), the last item on the programme, waa really very fine, and an altogether original composition. It is quite u«Jike the ordinary run of marches, even with classical music. The piece was played in a masterly manner1. Mr Maughan Barnett will give another recital to-night, and all those who want to bo "lifted out of themselves " and hear something exceptionally imposing and soul-stirring should not miss what is a musical j treat outside the ordinary bounds of j one's opportunity to hear.