ORGAN RECITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20966, 4 March 1930, Page 7

ORGAN RECITAL.

DR PRICE’S FIRST OFFERING.

The first of a series of popular organ recitals was given in the Town Hall last night by Dr W. G. Price. The hall was filled with a large and highly apl preciative audience, which followed Dr | Price’s playing with rapt attention. The i public of Dunedin had an opportunity of hearing the new organ at the official opening, but, for the first time last night, IDr Price contributed the entire programme. From the dimensions of the audience and the enthusiasm displayed at last night’s performance, one may safely predict the continued popularity of these recitals. The programme contained a wide variety of organ music, and although scarcely conceived on popular lines was a tribute to the versatility of the organist. I Punctually to the hour Dr Price appeared, and prefaced his opening offerin'* with the National Anthem. His first item, a group of three pieces, consisted a (a) Allegro (from the Fire Music), Handel; .(b) Fugue in D major, Bach; i (c) Andante (from the Seventh Quartet), Mozart. The Allegro of Handl’s, written in his best oratorical style, made an effective opening, and, though short demonstrated the tonal qualities of the I diapasons. Bach’s Fugue in D major, ] one of the most outstanding of his organ works, sometimes named the brilliant Prelude and Fugue, and certainly one of the jolliest, was intended for special performances rather than as a concluding voluntary. The prelude maintains its spirited progress until near the close, when it is interrupted by a remarkable passage of a vague and sombre character, the effect of which is further enhanced "y , a gradual diminution of tone to the end. The fugue is written in a florid style throughout, and pursues its animatd course up to the final entry of the subject on the pedals, when it reaches a splendid climax. The tempo throughout was beautifully sustained and the registration effective, the subject matter always being clear. Dr Price’s treatment ot the fugue was masterly, the final fZZTZ 25 being brilliantly played. 1 The third item of the group was a srik--1 13 C< ? n w, St - Mozart’s exquisite Andante revealed the beautiful quality l and voicing of the string stops and a great variety of flutes, the clarinet sounding i especially good. The second item was the famous Inroduction and Fugue from Reubkes only Sonata fop the organ. Ting pie Ce 18 regarded as a unique' classic in organ literature, and is an I Til Ur* t 0 ll lu6tl ' at ? tlle 04th Psalm. Ine gloomy, threatening character of the psalm is portrayed in the very striking opening, quiet , and mysterious. The development is highly original, and one is impressed with the fecundity and resource of a composer so young. The th P r rn reVe^- S * h , e hlfluenc e Of Lizst and the romantic school, and one cannot but wonder what might have been aecomat S t!m by I thls genius had he not died i at , 0 , ear ly age of 24. This piece is extremely difficult and demands organ technique of the highest order. The fugue began moderately and quietly, and 33 movement unfolded itself the subject was easily -followed. The contrasts between the effects of the cffeetV and a IC great or S a, > were most effective and provided something quite novel to a-Dunedin audience. The whole at ™f h V' c . ° f the was dramatic + b v ll . liant coda which culminated n the striking pedal passages was effective in its clarity in spite of its massiveness. Group 3 consisted of (a) “ Medi(Raff) , i°v E ‘ orl J’ (b) “ i gaudon 1 ” wJhok ( ) J anatlo .?l an Air from i « 3,., s .. o P e ra Sylvona.” The Meditation, a simple, plaintive i melody, was nicely treated and the ; , b “3 lful fects of the Celeste and vox ■ j' u ‘f ua stops were much appreciated : by the audience. The bright and | tul vivacity of Raff revefjed beautiful teed" a ,3 ' reed tones, -the tuba*on . the pedais being novel. The lively temno at the finißh rounded : “s from an P ’‘T"® Hem - 7116 flna l a ir tide 3 • earl V opera of Weber’s which Hons are 8 bywlber.^S SsSTV 55 jf of 6 was fj UiusiasticaHy received by the audience f. ft nn d a PPfause Dr Price concluded Durant Ti " U “ b . r the ca P rice by Durant. The recital closed with Morandis Overture in E minor. This is a lesser known work hut ie . A j ssf g *££ music. The public will look forwlrd Dr - t , hiS Com P°-r f“m By special request. Dr Prim. repeated the “ of to a do'se ° Ught “ memorß ble recital ...u/,™ 8 5 ! t° bo congratulated on a splendid performance, the inner parts sHISSS?