Organ recital success

AN audience of more than 70 people were treated to an outstanding display of virtuoso organ playing in All Saints Church, Leighton, by the brilliant South African-born organist Kevin Vockerodt.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jun 2012, 18:00 BST

Mr Vockerodt, who is well-known to members and followers of the Festival Singers, presented a programme ranging from the music of Bach to masterpieces from French 20th Century composers. All the pieces he chose were technically extremely demanding, but his playing was so brilliant that he made them seem effortless. At the same time he displayed total control of the instrument, drawing a wonderful variety of tone colours from the church’s fine organ.

The recital began with the Great Prelude and Fugue in A minor by Bach, one of the most difficult by him, which was given a stylish and accomplished performance. The French pieces which followed, by Bonnet, Messiaen, Durufle and Alain, were each delivered with complete assurance and aplomb as Milton Keynes based Mr Vockerodt dazzled the audience with his command of the music and the instrument.

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Perhaps the highlight of the programme was the Prelude and Fugue on the theme B-A-C-H, by Liszt. This mighty piece, which calls for a wide range of technical skills, was given a stunning performance, the equal of anything available on CDs or on YouTube.

In this recital Mr Vockerodt showed the audience what an outstanding organist he is, and should certainly be heard in larger recital venues.

JOHN WEARMOUTH