Left to right: Paul Drake, Sophie Vickerman (organ students), Michael Stewart (Director of Music, Wellington Cathedral), Albert Nisbet (organ student), Richard Apperley (Assistant Director of Music, Wellington Cathedral.)
A recital by organ students of Richard Apperley today re-launched the Music at St Matthew's organ music series which has languished since April Bamford retired as co-ordinator at the end of 2010.
The Rodgers Trillium - while offering an eyewateringly large range of digital functionality - is an unforgiving instrument, particularly to those used to playing a conventional pipe organ. I liken it to driving on an icy road: one wrong move and you're all over the place. The students managed it very well.
Michael Stewart - an experienced concert organist and Director of Music at Wellington Cathedral - kicked off the recital with a full-bodied performance of Bach's Fantasia in G, BWV 572. This was followed by Thalben Ball's hauntingly beautiful Elegy. This is music that sits well on the Rodgers organ and Michael matched sensitive playing with nicely contrasting registration. After the more sombre mood of the Elegy, Michael concluded with the Toccata by Russian composer Georgi Mushel (1909-1989). Stylish, lively playing, with the sound bouncing nicely off the walls.
Albert Nisbet, Junior Organ Scholar at Wellington Cathedral, was our first student recitalist. He started with Lilburn's Prelude in G Minor ("Antipodes") with lovely, lilting sensitive playing that points to a promising career as an organist. It was followed by the chorale prelude Liebster Jesu, wir sind hir, BWV 731: gentle, reflective playing, with sensitive registration.
Sophie Vickerman, a member of Wellington Cathedral Choir, tackled Lang's jaunty Tuba Tune with great aplomb, walking in the footsteps of some of the world's finest organists who have played Tuba Tune on this very organ. Although there were a few awkward moments, Sophie showed us she understood what C.S. Lang had in mind. Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV639, by JS Bach, was a much more confident performance.
Our last student, Paul Drake, started the organ as a youngster, but a career in the Merchant Navy put paid to that. Although Paul has only recently returned to organ studies with Richard Apperley, he approached his three pieces in the calm, steady manner with which he pilots huge ships in and out of Wellington Harbour. He began with Prelude, op.119, no.17, by Heller. Although a little tentative, he played in a polished, sensitive manner. This was followed by Bach's Nun ruhen alle Walder, BWV756 and Franck's Chant de la Creuse. Considered, thoughtful playing.
Richard Apperley ended the recital with a confident performance of the first movement of Mendelssohn's Sonata No.3. I would have liked to have heard some more of Richard's playing: he sounded completely at home on the organ.
Caryl Forrest
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Ray Stedman has taken up the reins as Music at St Matthew's series coordinator and planning for a new series of organ concerts is underway for 2013. Watch this space.
