ORGAN RECITAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 765, 29 October 1886, Page 14

ORGAN RECITAL.

*r. ; * . ; . A very interesting and enjoyable recital was given last Tuesday night by MrR. Parker, organist of St. Paul’s Churoh, Thorndon, on the fine organ recently erected in St. John s Church, Willis-street. The programme was specially selected “ with the view of illustrating modern organ compositions of different schools,” graceful allusion being made to the.fact that “ the classical school , proper had been worthily represented at the . previous recitals on the same instrument ” j those given by Mr Wells, of Christchurch, at its inauguration. Last night’s selections were chosen from the works of composers belonging respectively to the English, French, German, Dutch, and Flemish schools, and the illustrative numbers were culled with much judgment. The programme was as follows :—Andante in D (E. Silas) ; Allegretto Piacevole (C. E. Stephens) ; Offertoire in D minor (E. Batiste); “ Ave Maria” d’Arcadeldt (F. Liszt); Marche Fanebre in B-flat minor (Chopin) ; Andante in Aflat (W. S. Hoyte) ; Concert Fantasia in D (Sir R. P. Stewart) ; Barcarole in F (Sir W. Sterndale Bennett) ; two sketches, (a) “ Sunday Morning,” (b) “ Sunday Evening” (Hopkins); Fanfare in D major (Lemmens) ; Finale, 3rd Symphony, Mendelssohn. This very attractive was interpreted by Mr Parker with admirable taste and executive skill, while the various items were so happily contrasted that the interest of the audience was well sustained to the last. The explanatory notes attached, to the programme were doubtless very useful in guiding the attention of the listeners. Among the “numbers ” that gave most pleasure may be mentioned the fine Offertoire by tbe famous organist of St. Eustache, Paris, which displayed to great advantage the varied beauties of the organ ; the Abbe Liszt’s delightful arrangement of the venerable “Ave Maria” of Arcadeldt ; Chopin’s grand and pathetic Funeral March (appropriately played in memory of Liszt); Sir Robert Stewart’s masterly Fantasia ; Sir W. S. Bennett’s well-known and ever-charming Barcarole from the Conperto in F minor and the Mendelssohn Symphony. But although these commanded most favor, everything was heartily enjoyed : the melodious Andante by Mr Hoyte, of All Saints, Margaretstreet, whose reputation as a composer and executant is world-wide ; Lemmens’ inspiriting Fanfare —all too brief for the listeners ; the quaint and pleasing Andante by the Dutch Professor Silas, and the flowing Allegretto by C. E. Stephens, all assisting in making up a musical treat of special excellence. The combinations and contrasts of ’ the numerous stops were most ably and effectively managed by the performer, who exhibited the capacity of the noble instrument to the utmost advantage. Some of the reeds were a little out of order at times, owing to the heat of the gas, but not so much so as to impair materially the success of the performance. The vocal contributions were very meritorious. Gounod’s song, “There is a green hill far away, ” was beautifully sung by Miss Campbell, one of our most accomplished and artistic singers, who has evidently had the advantage of the best tuition. Mr Edwin Hill gave a finished and expressive interpretation of the lovely tenor air in Mr Joseph Barnby’s cantata “Rebekah,” the peculiar but very telling figure in the accompaniment being brought out with effective crispness. The choir of the church contributed two anthems, Hopkins’ “O praise the Lord,” and Dr Stainer’s “ 0 Zion.” Both were well sung, but the latter was the more successful of the two. The recital concluded at 10 p.m.