MR BARNETT'S ORGAN RECITAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2412, 18 January 1895, Page 2

MR BARNETT'S ORGAN RECITAL.

s Mr Maughan Barnett gave his first organ recital in St. John’s Church last night. There was a good attendance, and amongst those present were a party from Government House. Of the recital itself we can speak in terras of unqualified praise. Mr Barnett is not altogether a stranger to Wellington, and his talents as a pianist and organist al'o pretty well known. Those who heard him last night for the fifSt timi! nlvlst haVO realised that report has hot exaggerated his qualifications as an organist; The pro* gramme which he presented was diversified enough in stjde and character to afford display both for-the instrument and the performer. And the-manner in which tho programme w r as executed will assuredly tend to popularise these recitals, which .vo are glad to notice are to be given monthly. Tho recital opened vtitli an excerpt from Handel’s Concerto in, F, which, in the opening movement, was played with great delicacy and taste, and in tho forte passages with power and decision. This number was appropriately associated with three movements from Mendelssohn’s First organ Sonata, viz., an adagio, an andante rooitando and an allegro vivace. The sonorous richness and power of tho organ were exhibited in this last movement, while the artistic ability of the organist were amply attested by the precision and the fine expression with which all three movements were interpreted. The next three bracketed pieces were characterised by sweetness of tone and light and graceful fancy. They were: a “Benediction Nuptiale," by Saint-Saens, the accomplished French composer, a selection of charming cantilena by Salome and Smart’s spirited " Festive March.” After this, at an interval, came a pastorale, postlude and offertoiro by Lefoburo-Woly, tho great Parisian organist of a generation ago, whoso compositions are familiar to every lover of organ music. They wore played with exquisite grace and sweetness. The final pieces were Spinney’s arrangement of “Angels of Jesus” and a fine improvisation, both of them affording scope for executive display. Mr J. 'Prouae contributed two sacred solos—J. F. Barnett’s “ Book of Ages ” and Gounod’s “Nazareth ” —both of them being sung with that aoourarcy of intonation, clear enunciation and fine expression for which Mr Prouse is so justly noted. In conclusion we must say that the people of St. John’s are greatly favoured. They have an organ of which they may well feel proud, and they have an ‘organist to play it Whom one would willingly go far to hear. i .

Mr Manghan Barnett’s first series of subscription concerts commences on or about Thursday, 21st. February.