Lunchtime Recitals at All Saints – Alan Ireland (organ)

Late summer sun and the majestic acoustic of a fine Pearson church, the very best of Victorian Neo-Gothic, made the perfect setting for all this lovely music. If you’re not going to start with Bach then let it be Buxtehude, who was his ideal and rôle model. It was a very good choice as it gave us a grand tour of the mighty Hill organ. The rumble of the 16′ recalls the immersive shivering effect available in Truro Cathedral.

Two contrasting works by Bach duly followed and then some Mendelssohn, a true disciple of Bach. This was reassuring programming. The Stanford Postlude is always good to hear; the Ethel Smyth that came next was quite unfamiliar and a delightful surprise. I know her for the March of the Women and The Wreckers, so this gentle prayer was the highlight of the recital. Crown Imperial made a cheerful finale.

Alan Ireland knows this organ so well and took care to share this experience with us in this well curated programme.

All Saints Church,
12 September 2024

Rating:

Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in C – Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707)

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 662 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1665-1790)

Kyrie, Gott heiliger Geist, BWV 671 – Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude and fugue in D minor – Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Postlude in D minor, Op. 105 – Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

Du, O schönes Weltgebäude! – Ethel Smyth (1858-1944)

Crown Imperial – William Walton (1902-1983) arr. Herbert Murrill