ORGAN RECITAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 169, 18 June 1936, Page 11

ORGAN RECITAL

MR W. LAWRENCE HAGGITT. Despite the many counter-attractions in Palmerston North last evening, there was a large attendance at bt. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to hear the organ recital by Mr W. Lawrence Hag<dtt. F.T.C.L., L.R.S.M. (London), organist of St. John s Church, Wellington. Mr Haggitt quickly demonstrated his mastery of the organ and his artistry was apparent in every number. His programme was most interesting and well diversified, coveiing.a wide range of numbers specially written by the great composers for the organ." The organ at St. Andrew’s lias recently been renovated and a tremulant stop added, and it is now a very fine instrument. Mr Haggitt’s opening number was the Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor, one of Bach’s finest works for this instrument, and the recitalist gave a very fine rendition of it. Mendelssohn lias written some of the finest music for the organ and among his most important compositions for his six sonatas, from which Mr Haggitt played the Adagio (Second Sonata) and the Allegretto (Fourth Sonata) in a most inspiring and sympathetic manner. Boellman’s “Suite Gothique,” comprising four movements (Introduction — Choral, Minuet Gothique, Priere a Notre-Danic and Toccata), was a revelation of the ability of the organist. A dainty piece daintily played was Rachmaninoff’s Melodie in E. and Hollins’s “A Song of Sunshine” was another delightful performance. Other items played with a delicate touch were Prelude on the Welsh Hymn Tune “Rhosymedre” (“Lovely”) by Vaughan Williams, Rheinberger’s “Visione,” “Evening Song” by Bairstowe. Cesar Franck’s “Piece Heroique,” “Meditation—Elegie” (Ist Suite) by Borowski, Andante Religioso, by Rowley, and •Epilogue, by Heale-" Willan. Assisting the artist were Miss Lexie McDonald, who was in fine voice and sang “Consider and Hear Me” (Woller), and Mr W. B. Tennent. whose fine bass voice was heard to advantage in “Lord, God of Abraham” (Mendelssohn). 1 '