Organ recital at university

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 6

Organ recital at university

By

C. FOSTER BROWNE

Martin Setchell began his recital on the organ at the University School of Music on Thursday with Bach’s G major Prelude and Fugue. It was clearly played, with bright registration, and had the untramelled sound of wind in the tree-tops. Thei fugue wound its bright and steady wav with secure confidence. Settings of preludes on the: chorale. “Veter Unser in Himmeireich.” by Pachelbel. 1 Buxtehude, and Bach followed, each with its distinctive style and played with realisation of what the chorale had meant to each com-i poser. They were refreshing; and delightful preludes. Comet Voluntary in G major bv William Wallond. was a carefree work, keep:ng its bright spirit well Ur ihe fore in its rushing coun-; ierpoint, which seemed to

suspend its melody in midair and play with it merrily in a game of catch-as-catch-can. At the time of its writing. the cornet did not mean the brass wind instrument of today: it was a “mixture” stop on an organ and consisted of several pipes to one note.

■ The last work was Sonata in C No. 2 by Mendelssohn land did not fare as well as the other works. Occasional sticking of the board controlling wind supply resulted lin out-of-tune sounds and ; whimpering like that of a baby troubled by wind. Even under good conditions it is ■ doubtful whether a “classiical” organ would be the j ideal instrument for playing this sonata. Mr Setchell will soon go on sabbatical leave from the university. This will give him an opportunity to study what others are doing in academies abroad.