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Cumbrian Society of Organists |
A large and very enthusiastic audience gathered in St. Patrick’s Church, Patterdale, to hear Ian Tracey and Shean Bowers present a wonderfully varied programme of music from the 18th to the 21st Century, both classical and popular, on the newly restored and enlarged William Hill / Wilkinson / Carter pipe organ and the Eminent digital organ. Their informative and amusing introductions to each piece added plenty of additional interest to proceedings, so that it became partly an educational event, particularly for the non-organists present.
Highlights in the programme included Charpentier’s Te Deum Prelude, Yon’s Toccatina for the flutes, Dubois’ Toccata in G, Soler’s Concierto Para Dos Organos (3), Walton’s Crown Imperial March and a tongue-in-cheek “Eine Kleine Nichtmusic” (by “PDQ Bach!) complete with 43 ‘descants’, all played as duets. Ian and Shean also played three solos each, featuring particular contrasted stops and combinations of stops on each organ.
The following comments were received from the most senior organist present in the audience:
“I thought last Saturday's Concert was amongst the very best, if not the best, I have ever enjoyed in the hundreds of organ recitals I've heard in my time. It was superbly played, varied, very melodic, just the right length with witty and expert commentary, and they seemed to be enjoying it as much as we were! The organs blended beautifully, tonally and with volume”.
Ian and Shean enjoyed their time at Patterdale so much that they have asked to return for a second round, which is due to take place at 6pm on Saturday 27th June 2015!