MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21102, 12 August 1930, Page 10

MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL.

Dr V. E. Galway gave his first recital as official city organist in the Town Hall last evening. Despite the bad weather, the area and balcony were comfortably filled with a representative and keenly attentive audience. The occasion marks ■ a decided forward move in Dunedin’s musical life, and an event which may have considerable influence on local taste and culture. The programmes are being so arranged ,as to provide something new to Dunedin audiences, and while the classics will not be forgotten, operatic transcriptions and novelties will be given together with modern music calculated to bring some of the modem composers before the local public. „ In the opening overture to “ Athaliah ” Handel has written good solid stuff, straightforward and diatonic, but a trifle stodgy unless well bandied. Needless to say Dr Galway made this overture vivid and vital with suitable registration, and dean crisp playing. The contrasts were in excellent taste and the finale on great organ was splendidly built up, making a dignified and imprewive opening to the rectital. The Mozartian aria “Deh Vieni” from the “Marriage of Figaro” was in splendid relief, with .oboe accompaniment to the solo flute as in the operatic score. This number obviously delighted all with its naive charm and beauty and suggestion of innocent fun. The great G minor Fugue, surely a monoument to Bach, with its striking subject full of character and energy, and its amassing development was last night more than musical mathematics. It is often said’ that Bach id -• dry, but when his music is played by a sound, logical inuaician with insight it becomes live with feeling and power. The fugue might possibly be likened musically to a statement of facts not altogether satisfactory—maybe inevit- - able—but ,with a'purpose and will ehining through it, and a, gradual binding , and reconciling till the Issue Is settled ' with the triumphant close in the major key. Opened on the lesser diapason the fugue flowed on not too fast as is sometimes done for display, but with point and decision and admirable clarity. Re.peated changes of colour were introduced, the subject always being kept to the fore, while the different episodes Were given their places with a 'fine; sense of proportion, enabling the audience to follow the development with ease. ' The pedal cadenza and full major chord-at-the dose, given with full i organ with tubas coupled, ended a performance that was impressive to a de- ■ gree. In > the well-known “March ■ Funebre et Chant Seraphique," written - by-Guilmant for the opening of the Notre Dome organ, the right effect was given to the march, with a most moving intense ’ effect in the modulation. While in the chant the mdody coupled to the pedal was rich and glowing, the arpeggil sounded a trifle thin and ineffective. Hollins's “In Springtime ” followed—a bright and tuneful composition employing the double , melody, and written by an organist alive ’ to the possibilities of the modern organ. ’ At this stage Dr Galway , explained the X r stage setting of “The Rheingold” and ; something of the story, and played on the pianoforte four of the motifs used in the finale—viz., the “Donner,” “Rainbow,” - “ Walhalla,” and “ Rhine Maiden •’ > themes. The finale itself was highly . dramatic with rich orchestration, and one felt the sensuous striving and domination of the master mind. The motifs were . easily, distinguishable, and the lightning , effect, “Rhine Maiden’s Lament” and “Walhalla” themes on pedal effective in the extreme and something quite new to a,. Dunedin audience. The organist was rewarded by an ovation from those present. The last numbers were Schubert’s ; “Faith in Spring,” most sympathetically played, and the rousing march from Berlioz’s “ Faust ” played with verve and rhythm, including drum and cymbal effects. - Miss Mary Pratt contributed, several songs to Dr Galway’s accompaniment on the pianoforte. In “ Sun Above Me ” 1 (Pergolesi) Miss Pratt was outstanding, V her rich contralto voice filling the hall. , This was a very finished rendering of a difficult song. In lighter vein “Roam As I May” (Salvator Rosa) was given . by Miss Pratt in charming manner and showing good voice control. The vocali ist’s last item, “ Kishmul’a Galley, ’’ from Mrs Kennedy Fraser’s arrangement, is conceived on big lines and demands sustained singing. Miss Pratt was more than equal to these, though the Gaelic and English words were difficult to get at a first hearing. Miss Pratt generously responded to the recall to each item. In response to numerous letters received - from those unable to be present last night, Dr Galway has arranged to repeat the organ items at a special recital to be given' on Wednesday, August 20, at 3 p.ra.