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ORGAN MUSIC    Played on the Father Smith organ at St Peter's Chapel, Auckland, County Durham by Alan Cuckston.     FEW 103CD.

Available from Foxglove Audio.  10 Springwood Road, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6BH, UK
Telephone and fax 0113 250 7282,
e-mail foxgloveaudio@btinternet.com.

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HANDEL, Fantasie in C; Capriccio in G minor; Impertinence; Air in G minor; Toccata in G minor; Prelude and Allegro in A minor; Air in A; Fugue in A minor; Sonatina in A minor. TOMKINS, Voluntary; Fancy in A. LOCKE, Voluntary in F. PURCELL, Toccata in A; Cebell. CROFT, Voluntary in D minor; Voluntary in A minor. BLOW, 100th Psalm tune. HART, Lesson in G.

This very attractive sounding organ was built in 1688 and has a wonderfully clear and bright tone. It has but five stops namely an Open Diapason (8 feet), a Stopped Diapason (8 feet), a Principal (4 feet), a Twelfth at 2_ and a Fifteenth (2 feet). And it is a pleasure, and a relief, to say that it does not have a noisy action.

All the pieces may be regarded as miniatures and this is because many of them fall within the category of 'utility music'. The 'concert works' by Handel are fine pieces enhanced by the bright tone and impeccable, unobtrusive and exemplary playing of Alan Cuckston.

The Fantasie is a gem and both the Toccata and the Prelude and Allegro have, at times, a remarkable virtuosity. The Air in A has a very human breathing quality reflecting the character of the stopped Diapason. I was surprised at the use of the title Sonatina and couldn't Handel write a really good fugue untrammelled by the tedious over-academic style associated with his famous contemporary?

A splendid disc that needs neither me nor anyone else to say more.

Reviewer

David Wright

Performances

Recording

Reviewer

David Wright

Performances

Recording


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