MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21646, 17 May 1932, Page 9

MUNICIPAL ORGAN RECITAL

A very attractive programme of organ selections was presented before .an appreci- > ative audience in the Town Hall last evening by the city organist (Dr V. E. Dal- , way), the items being arranged to create *■ effective contrasts. Perhaps the most outstanding compositions played by the organist were Bach’s Fugue in G minor, and Mendelssohn’s Sonata No, Din -1} ; minor. The first number, which, is one \ of the greatest of Bach’s fugues, was > given very effective treatment, and proved , to be perhaps the most popular item of the evening. In the Mendelssohn number one of the most striking features was the dramatic contrast between the fml power of the organ and the soft chorale of the choir flutes. A rich and expressive adagio was followed by an emotional recitative, a rousing allegro forming a brilliant climax to the composition. The “ Trumpet Minuet,” by Alfred Hollins, .. provided an opportunity for effective solo work on the tubas, this being followed * bv the sixteenth century Ave Maria, by Arcadelt, a peaceful number in which _ the soft stops were used exclusively.:; Schumann’s “ Nachstuck," which followed the Bach fugue, was a quiet relief alter the turbulence of the preceding selection, and was fulj of rich melody. /‘The Curfew,” by Horsman, a composition mspiwj’cl , by the first verse of Gray’s “ Elegy, was a delightfully restful composition, while < Purcell Mansfield’s “ Madrigal" was a number in which the organist availed himself to the full of the wonderful variety of stop combinations possible on the organ. The brilliant introduction to Act 111 of “Lohengrin” (Wagner) was followed by | Schubert's' -lovely “Faith in Spring, the recital being completed with a fine performance of Elgars Imperial March. ■ Mr J. E. R, Benton provided the vocal side of the programme, his rich bass voice finding excellent expression m the selections chosen tor the evening. He sang “ Rolling in Foaming Billows, from • Haydn’s “The Creation.’ Star Vlcinw (Salvator Rosa) , 1 To the Night j (Franz), and A Wanderers Song Rasbach) with musicianly expression. The pianoforte accompaniments were artistically played by Dr Galway. : ,