Fabulous playing from James Lancelot, Organist of Durham Cathedral, on the now splendidly refurbished Hill organ following its re-dedication by the Bishop of Winchester.
The highlight was a stunning performance of Elgar’s Sonata opus 28; Lancelot’s programme notes state it is “symphonic in conception and symphonic in stature”.
That was very evident here with a striking opening flourish and melodic flow, the Allegretto’s playful nature and the mainly reflective ambience of the Andante.
The finale builds in exemplary symphonic manner, Elgar’s fingerprints quite discernable, to a magnificent conclusion.
Whitlock’s Plymouth Suite was the centrepiece, and like Elgar’s Enigma Variations, celebrated the characters of some friends in its five movements.
That of Dom Winfred, a monk, revealed the prayerful quietude of abbey life while the final Toccata, dedicated to organist Harold Moreton, conjured the full force of a salt-laden southerly gale.
William Lloyd Webber (yes, father of those two siblings) composed a brief but delightful Noel and along with Howell’s tremendous Rhapsody Opus 17 No.3, Karg-Elert’s quietly colourful Chorale Prelude Opus 65 No.51 and a brilliant mix of voices in Bach’s Fantasia and Fugue in G minor BWV 542, Lancelot displayed the new-found clarity and range of stops that makes this instrument’s capabilities a very exciting prospect.
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