J.S.Bach, Stanley, Bridge, J Lloyd, Peeters, Lefébure-Wély, Dupré, Mendelssohn, Frank, Cirri & Vierne
Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 532
O Mensch, bewein' dein' Sünde groß BWV 622
Voluntary in A
Adagio in E
Flames
'Welcome, Lord Jesus' from 10 Organ Chorales op. 39
Sortie in B flat
Prelude and Fugue in G minor Op.7 No.3
Allegretto from Sonata no. 4
Pièce Héroique
Sonata in A
Finale from Symphonie no. 1
More organ recitals by Gillian Lloyd on the organrecitals.com website.
Our own organist, Gillian Lloyd, presented a very varied and enjoyable programme starting with J.S.Bach's formidable D major BWV532 Prelude and Fugue where both start and finish respectively with very difficult pedal runs. The same composer's Chorale 'O Mensch, bewein' dein' Sünde groß' provided a calming effect before the blind organist John Stanley's 'Voluntary in A', an attractive piece with a lively middle section.
Frank Bridge's 'Adagio in E', which starts and ends with extremes of pianissimo encompassing an awakening centre, was most expressively portrayed and was one of two more modern compositions, the second being by Gillian's husband - an evocative and lively piece entitled 'Flames'. Following this another another Chorale - 'Welcome, Lord Jesus' by Flor Peeters - and to reach the interval the hugely likeable and humerous 'B flat Sortie' by Lefebure-Wely.
Marcel Dupré and Mendelssohn started the second half with the former's charming 'Prelude' and highly rhythmical ' Fugue' in Gminor and the latter's lyrical 'Allegretto' from Sonata No.4 - quite like a 'song without words'. Cesar Franck's showpiece 'Pièce Héroique' was played with great panache and preceded the sparkling short two-movement Sonata in A for manuals only by Ignazio Cirri.
A rousing finish to her programme was the 'Finale from Vierne's First Symphonie - a tremendous work amply demonstrating Gillian's musicianship, complete command of the instrument and a virtuoso's ability where necessary. After tumultuous applause from the large and enthusiastic audience, she introduced a generous touch, very typical of her, by playing as an encore another of her husband's works - a lullaby written for her when she was expecting their son 19 years ago - and thereby sharing the final acclaim with Jeffrey.