Our first Lunchtime Recital of the school year marked the debut of John Mountford, the new Director of Music, on the organ: king of instruments.
The recital opened with Pietro Yon’s Toccatina for the Flutes. This charming miniature highlighted the delicate playfulness of the organ’s flute stops.
Next came Johann Sebastian Bach’s Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter (BWV 650), a chorale prelude rich with both technical complexity and spiritual depth. Mr. Foster, Head of Brass, came to the rescue to provide the chorale melody in the correct octave – just beyond the limits of the Kenneth Tickell organ at All Saints.
Marcel Dupré’s Prelude in G minor followed, bringing a dramatic shift in tone. The brooding, mysterious harmonies of the piece shifted from plainsong-like melodies in the feet to the large, powerful chords spread across both hands and pedals.
Henri Mulet’s Carillon Sortie provided a fitting and jubilant conclusion to the programme. The rapid, cascading arpeggios and triumphant themes evoked the joyful sound of pealing church bells.
For an encore, Mr. Mountford concluded the recital with a fun vocal solo: Flanders & Swann’s Ill Wind, accompanied by Head of Piano Anne Bolt, with a cameo appearance from Steve Foster.
The recording from this week’s concert is available online here.
Next week’s Music at Lunchtime concert will be given by Form 5 pupil Nicola, who will be performing music for violin by Mendelssohn, Mozart & Henryk Wieniawski.
