The primary objective of this concert was to celebrate the refurbishment of the College’s spectacular Beckerath organ – the culmination of a three-year project.
To a very full audience, with soloist Michael Butterfield on fine form, impressively supported by conductor Alex Arkwright, and with the London Mozart Players offering a sublime contribution, this mission was definitely accomplished.
The renovation of the organ has undoubtedly enhanced an already incredible instrument in terms of tonal colour and power.
Michael Butterfield’s imaginative and masterly registration was a joy to behold, as he navigated the intricacies of the Poulenc Organ Concerto to great effect and followed it up with a rousing rendition of Widor’s famous Organ Symphony No.5 in the second half. Michael is also to be congratulated and thanked for overseeing the management of the refurbishment, alongside our current College organist Ed Byrne.
This concert began with possibly one of the most beautiful renditions of Samuel Barber’s famous Adagio for Strings that I’ve ever heard. The mellifluous and seamless tone of the London Mozart Players, expertly led by Simon Blendis, was an absolute joy to behold and set the scene perfectly for this memorable occasion.
With conductor Alex Arkwright deftly at the helm for the Poulenc that followed, the audience was treated to something really quite special with drama, subtle nuance and humour appropriately applied throughout.
Widor’s Symphony No. 5 is a masterpiece, and of his ten organ symphonies the fifth is by far the best known thanks to the final movement, the Toccata.
When this movement burst forth with Michael Butterfield in full flow, the audience sizzled, and at its conclusion they rose to their feet to salute him, and rightly so.
Philip Dukes FGSM HonARAM
Artistic Director