ORGAN RECITAL
If for nothing else Wellington owes a deep debt of gratitude to Mr. Page for introducing the' organ, works of Caesar Franck to us. They had never been played here before he came, and, as far as we know, Franck's music had never been heard in New Zealand until the advonlt of our new City Organist. Thoy are masterpieces. of their kind—but masterpieces not to be ventured upon by the average player—an abundant technique, subtle analysis, and a mastery in the matter of registration are some of the attributes required of an organist who would tackle this composer. It may bo safely said that with the exception of "Andantino," every one of the examples played on Saturday night required alj the powers of interpretation that the. exe-' cutait had* at his command. ■ :
If one were to pick out two,, marked, characteristics of the great Belgian mastfer we would say. that they are a wonderful sense of exquisite melody,- and /a method' 1 of treating progressions and themes which was many years in advance of. his time. In fact, it would be 6afe to hazard the statement that the new modern French school of music is largely founded -upon Caesar Franck. Some of the greatest exponents of thait school were his pupils, and their methods in a less degree are largely his. During , his life Franck's music was never recognised. It is only since his death :that a. tardy fame has illuminated his genius. All his life ha devoted to the drudgery of •- teaching, in his spare, momenta : working at ■ such trifles als . h'is Beatitudes," his' "Symphony m D Minor," his chamber-and organ music—immortal' stuff from which the composer reaped'no benefit. His-life is a pathetic story of- apparent failure and a posthumous realisation'by the pul> lie of his genius,
Whero all was so good it is only the personal equation that comes, in in judging what wa3 best in Mr. Page's Tecitai. Probably the. palm should be given to the Fantasia, the Prelude Fugue and Yaria'tions (which tfas-faultlessly played), and the Pastorale.: Mr. Page, with all. his marvellous technique, that factor to dominate his playing. He brings to the interpretation of this master a wealth of feeling and emotional force which is at times overwhelming He plays Caesar Franck «s if he loved Iris music.It is not possible to give him' higher praise. . */ The performance of the "Finale" was a tour'de fores, which was stupendous from the opening pedal sold to the glorious climax at the finish. Mr. Page was also hoard for the firat time in an improvisation. on the opening bafs of , "In Dulci Jubilo." The air was most cleverly treated in Canon, in' trio'form and by inversion. It was a most subtle and musicianly piece of work, . The Wellington public was treated at this recital to a feast of music,, which should have crowded the hall to the doors. A unique Tecitai was this, such as, as far as we know, has never been given anywhere before. How manv of the artistic Wellington people were present? Some one hundred and fifty. Wo have been asked- to state lhat Mr. .Pass- mil ploy the "Piece Symphoniqus" (Franck) at his next recital.
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2308, 16 November 1914, Page 3
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534ORGAN RECITAL Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2308, 16 November 1914, Page 3
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