Hundreds of people have enjoyed a wonderful season of concerts on the restored grand organ in York Minster this summer. 'Hard core' season ticket holders were joined by one off visitors and tourists alike throughout the series of six concerts.
John Scott Whiteley, Organist Emeritus, launched the series with characteristic flair. A recitalist of international reputation, John opened with the entirety of Widor's challenging Symphony 6. As if the various movements of this work were insufficiently dazzling, the Toccata written especially for 'JSW' by James Macmillan in 2019 certainly served to deepen the impression this concert made on the audience!
Ben Morris, Assistant Director of Music, never ceases to impress with his naturally relaxed and yet entirely polished panache at the console. A romantic interpretation of the Bach 'wedge' Prelude and Fugue in E minor opened the concert, and a little known piece with Morris family connections certainly made for a varied programme, not least when followed by the thrilling 'Sonata on the 94th Psalm' by Julius Reubke. Had Reubke lived beyond 24 years, who knows what music of his we would now know.
Katherine Dienes-Williams from Guildford Cathedral quite justifiably acknowledged the geography she found herself in, with works by Bairstow, Nares, Jackson, Moore and Noble all in the programme! The Prelude on 'Pange lingua' by Kerensa Briggs (b.1991) was a particular highlight, before a rousing conclusion was brought about with the help of Sir Edward Elgar, and the most foot tapping movement of his Organ Sonata in G.
Robert Quinney from New College, Oxford, began with an incredible romantic rendition of the Bach 'Dorian' Toccata & Fugue in D minor. Using the Minster organ to the fullest of appropriate effects, this was Bach played using the Minster organ to its strengths, rather than forcing it to be anything like a baroque organ. This conviction did not disappoint, and indeed set something of a precedent in the minds of those most deeply impacted by it. In conclusion, we were treated to Robert's own transcription of the Ralph Vaughan Williams fifth Symphony. Initially for orchestra, this was evident in the sweeping lines and swift dynamic fluctuations. A blazing procession through the central section led us towards a finale of shimmering peace and stillness.
Colin Walsh has had a lifelong association with Lincoln Cathedral, and his particular appetite for French music was a part of his programme. Opening however in England with the spectacular Introduction & Passacaglia by Walter Alcock, Colin quite literally used the full resources of the organ. A particular highlight was the Bach Passacaglia in C minor, essentially a theme and variations. As the late Peter Williams so memorably put it, 'tension rises and falls in waves before working towards a climax worthy of many a Romantic symphony'. Wasn't this the truth! Concluding with the little heard concert piece Evocation by Jean Langlais sealed a deal for this being one of the greatest recitals at York Minster in recent history.
Finally the audience welcomed Robert Sharpe, Director of Music. An illustrious recitalist in his own right, people in York do enjoy hearing Robert's concert, not least given that such an indulgence is, by necessity, relatively rare. Following the scene setting Prelude for a Solemn Occasion by the late Dr Jackson, a key influence on the aforementioned organist-composer followed in the form of Maurice Ravel. Quite literally ravishing in the space, we moved on to the second Kerensa Briggs item in the series, the harmonically rich Light in Darkness. Ample use of the pedal reeds was made in the Bach Fantasia & Fugue in G minor, producing just the right impact for a nave bound audience. At moments such as this, Robert's intimate knowledge of the instrument and passionate commitment to hearing it rendered in the finest available way, rose to the fore. The Dupre Allegro Deciso from 'Evocation' concluded the series in virtuosic style; people departing the building did so with such an enriched musical aura as to be demanding information about the 2024 series!
With thanks to all who played, organised, stewarded, marketed, turned pages and attended this remarkable series!