This year’s celebrity recital at St. Patrick’s Patterdale on 16th July was given by Peter Downey. Peter was a pupil of Dr Harry Gabb and Roger Fisher and is just returning to live in his native Durham. His career includes considerable experience as a teacher and examiner and, more recently, over 20 years working as a professional organist in Oslo.
The audience was treated to a superb recital which displayed Peter’s enviable musicality and skill, despite being performed wearing M&S slippers! (Peter’s organ shoes and much of his music being somewhere in transit from Italy.)
His selection of registrations not only displayed the range and quality of the instrument but also suited the programme beautifully.
Peter introduced the audience to the Nocturn, (note without an ‘e’), from 6 Miniatures, by Dr Arthur Milner (1894-1972) who was a Newcastle based teacher, performer and composer and was highly recommended. In addition, Peter also recommended music composed by Wilhelm Peterson-Berger and included in the programme a piece from his collection Frösöblomster I, Op. 16.
In addition to these the programme included Sweelinck Mein junges Leben hat ein End, Buxtehude Passacaglia in D minor, Buxtehude Ciacona in E minor, Franck Prelude Fugue and Variation, and J S Bach Fantasia in G (BWV 572).
Following the recital, Peter joined members for lunch at the Inn on the Lake at Glenridding where all present enjoyed his company and his anecdotes of experience as an organist and living in Norway.
To further the entertainment, although interrupting the conversation, the RAF provided low level flights by F35 and Typhoon aircraft.
Thanks to Mike Town for his organisation of a most enjoyable event and, of course, to Peter Downey for his performance and lunchtime company.
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