Review: Organ at the Movies
Barry Brinson at St Matthew's, Masterton, 31 July 2010
Barry Brinson's Organ at the Movies concert in St Matthew's, Masterton, was fun, an opportunity to look at some seriously interesting cinematographic history, and a demonstration of some more of the pyrotechnical possibilities of the Rodgers Trillium organ.
While "serious" organists like a Bach fugue and some Franck to start the day - and the concert - and look down their noses at those who cater to a rather broader audience, Barry occupies both ends of the organ repertoire spectrum quite seamlessly. And, if that isn't enough, he is also a fine jazz musician, church musician, and church music composer as well.
The programme started with a medley that segued beautifully between old favourites such as Zip-a-dee-doo-dah and When you wish upon a star and was followed by music by Richard Rodgers.
Then the lights were dimmed and St Matthew's became a cinema of the silent movie era.
The 1929 film, The Phantom of the Opera, showed the cinema organ at its best. Using an adaptation of Charles Gounod's opera Faust as the theme, we were transported to Paris as the music created excellent dramatic tension. While the film built to its dramatic conclusion, Barry moved to Boellman's Toccata from Suite Gothique, a superb choice.
As well as being a fine performance, accompanying The Phantom was a real marathon - 50 minutes of straight playing without a break.
The film RAF over Blackpool, accompanied by Walford Davies' March of the Royal Air Force, was a stunning marriage of spectacular aerobatic footage teamed perfectly with the music.
We were also treated to Noah and his amazing floating zoo from the Disney film Fantasia, accompanied by music from Elgar and Khatchachurian.
You can tell when an audience is really enjoying themselves. There was none of the usual discreet coughing and programme rustling that accompanies most concerts. The audience were absolutely entranced. What better endorsement of a fine performance.
Caryl Forrest
