ORGAN RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2694, 14 February 1916, Page 3

ORGAN RECITAL

On Saturday night, tho organ recital at the Town Hall was composed entirely of works, which the City Organist (Mr. Bernard F. Page) had previously played. That the various items were popular was evident from the fact that the attendance was oxcellent—quite as large as the audience on Annivorsary Night "Tho Pastorale (Op. 19)" by Cesar Franck, one of his most sublime compositions, is probably tho greatest favourite of all with local patrons of thesa recitals, and, when the City Organist had finished this number on Saturday night, there was most enthusiastic applause. It was an undoubted demand lor a repetition, hut the length of the programme would not permit of this. Schumann's "Fugue on the Name of Bach" had not beon heard for somo timo past, and its inclusion was welcome, as was tho Prolude {Act I) to '■Tristan and Isolde," omvy note cf' which fieonis weighted w.th emotion. Debussy's "Cortege (from Suite for Strings)," played for the first timo some weeks ago, was repeated with tho expressed approval of tho Icure, aikl another item listened »o with pleasure was "Fantasia (Op. 11":," by Silas. Towards tho close of the wcrlt ".James the Second's March," a genuine 17th century tune, is introduced with excellent eii'ect.. The programme was completed by Elogy from the Music to tho Tragedy "King Christian II" (Sibelius), Overture (Beethoven), and Aid and Variations upon a theme of Handel's. It,had previously been announced that' Mr. Arthur-Alexander's Elegy for 'cello and orchestra would be repeated, but owing to the excessive heat during the week, th 6 City Organist found it impossible to give the neccssary preparation. The work will, however; be played at the next recital.