ORGAN RECITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13890, 30 April 1907, Page 6

ORGAN RECITAL

An excellently selected programme of orfian music was played by ilr 1). Cookei organist of the Moray Placo Congregational Clnireh, last ovening. ' llr Cooke evidently oliocses what ho considers will interest and entertain hii audience rather than what will show off tho capabilities of the organ and the executive power of the organist. The immediate result or this is that-Mir Cooke's rccitals are always enjoyable; none nnro sc than that oi last evening. He i-s also careful to avoid the inclusion in his programme of too many lengthy items, which are apt to tire tho majority of an. audience", and prefers short, pretty, and taking solos, usually bracketed in pairs and usually sufficiently different in kind to afford marked contrast. His treatment of all ho plays niajvbo said to be invariably good, and is evidently well oonsidcTcd before a. public performance is given. Tho recital last evening was given in aid of the Sunday School prize fund, and the audicnoo was a fairly large one. Haydn's romance, "La, Heine de France," and Xeviii's " Narcissus," both more or less familiar to lovers of music, were rendered with particularly lino effect, and tho same may be said of another two bracketed ' items—" Berceuse,' which was played with great delicacy, and " Canzone Araorcsa." Tho : latter Mr Cooko interpreted most expressively. , Schubert's " Moment musical," a dreamy composition of great beauty, was played with singular sweetness of expression, and the bold, vigorous character of the same composer's " ilarche militaire" was fully brought out* by tho organist, and was in strong contract to the other composition with which it was linked for {lie occasion. Mr Cooke also gave j a fine, stirring rendering of 'fcchaikowsky's march > from the Casse-Xoisette suite. 1 " Sonata pontificale," by Lemmens, was tho only lengthy solo 011 tho programme, and toe brilliant finale at its clcre was another instance of Mr Cooke's musical skill. The other pieces played were "Fantaise concertante," Clark's " Angelic Chorus," a sonata by Kheinbergor, a Toccata " by Callaerts, and • "Chant sans paroles." Mr Cooke's playing; was warmly applauded throughout the even- • ing, and Mr James Ccoaibs, who assisted liiin, ' was equally honoured in this respect. It is j not often that the organ and violin are i beard in company, ajid judging from it:' Coombs's solo—it might more correctly ' Ira

designated his dust with Mr Cfioke—they go remarkably well together, mid tive effect produced ia very Sue. Tlirfo movomer.ls—adagio, schereo, ai!d rondo—of Bethovon's " No. 5 souata." v.'ero given, and' both players are to ha complimented on tho vory marked success of their united oileTt-. Tho Rev, W. Saunders presided, and mentioned that tho-recital had l»en given at the request of tho Sundsy school teachers.