ORGAN RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 115, 9 February 1920, Page 7

ORGAN RECITAL

The City . Organist, Mr. Bernard F. pilge, gave an organ recital in the Town Hall on Saturday night. His programme, as usually is the case, was pleasantly diversified, and included somo of tho compositions that have become favourites among those citizens who appreciate organ music. The pity is that, more people do not realise that they are offered at a merely nominal ■ charge tho privilege of hearing much of the world's best music played by a very talented organist on the fine instrument installed in the Town llall. Mr. Page opened with the richly musical overture to "Coriolan," Op. 62 (Beethoven). A mors simple numljfv, Ravel's "Pavane pour line Infanto Defunte," followed. Cesar Franck's "Fantai/Te in A" and the. Prelude Aviren (No. 5) in B minor (Rhene Baton) were both most, enjoyable. The first part of the programme was completed with Bach's Toccata and Fugue in C Major, a highly animated and interesting composition that has attracted love's of the organ for more than two hundred years. After the interval Mr. Page played RebikolT's "Psychological Poem," "Genius and Death" (Op. 11, No. 6). This remarkable work, dedicated to tho memory of all great men, is an attempt to interpret in musical form the approach of Death and tlie final triumph of the. spirit over Death in tho temples of glory. It is a richly imaginative and very moving composition. The. recital closed with another of Cesar Franck's works, the "Piece Hcroique.'" The organist played with his custom/try skill and discrimination throughout the programme. The next recital will be given on Saturday of this week, *