 |
 |
|
 |
||
|
Correa, Bruna & Braga Andrew Benson-Wilson St Giles-in-the-Fields, 1st November 2011 Andrew Benson-Wilson returned to play another programme on the 2006 William Drake rebuild of the 1856 Gray and Davison organ, which incorporates much 17th century pipework and, with judicious registration choices, is probably the best instrument in Central London for the repertoire in which he specialises. These tientos (toccatas) require to be played with ornamentation and rhythmic flexibility, often with "notes inégales". Some of them demand considerable virtuosity, and the ending of the recital with Braga's spectacular Battalha de 6° Tom was duly exciting. Peter Grahame Woolf Previous London organ recitals by Andrew Benson-Wilson reviewed in Musical Pointers: Buxtehude & before Tunder Praeludium In G Minor, Chorale Fantasia and In Dich Hab Ich Gehoffet This lunchtime concert was perhaps the first to explore the possibilities to simulate early organ sound on St John's versatile Sainsbury Concert Organ (Klais of Bonn - 1993). In his carefully compiled programme notes, Benson-Wilson (London critic for Early Music Review) reminded us that German organs of the period were "of monumental size" - Weckmann played a Hamburg one with 71 stops, c.50% more than St John's in London, its pedal division twice the latter's size. The registrations applied today were based on contemporary references and known specifications of those organs, and embraced a kaleidoscope of colours, with the sound full when appropriate but never ear-hurting. Benson-Wilson played with secure authority and rhythmic command, aided by using SJSS's electronic sequencer for precise changes of registration. The climax of the recital was Buxtehude's longest keyboard work, c. 15 minutes, ranging widely within North German Chorale Fantasia and stylus phantasticus traditions. For listeners fairly near the front of St John's, pleasure was enhanced by following Benson-Wilson's The distancing of player from listeners in many churches probably militates against the popularity of organ recitals, frequently given in London, especially in City churches, but often poorly attended; also, q.v. "ugly noise at an ear-endangering decibel level". Peter Grahame Woolf
Bach at Grosvenor Chapel and St Giles in the Fields Chorale Preludes from Clavierubung III Grosvenor Chapel November 9th 2010 Grand studies – The English Bach Revival St Giles in the Fields, November 2nd 2010 Andrew Benson-Wilson - organ An hour of music at lunchtime is widely available in central London as elsewhere, and worth seeking out. Two rewarding Bach recitals on small London organs were given by Andrew Benson-Wilson, a specialist in early organ music, during November. Only very few came to listen, as is often the way with organ St Giles has built up a loyal audience, which was greeted in the friendliest way and with hot drinks on arrival. The programme demands to be recorded for CD there; St Giles is extraordinarily quiet and free from traffic noise even in the middle of the day. PGW
|
hands projected on a small screen. The black & white image was not as clear as one might reasonably hope with today's technology; it showed his knees moving, but not the feet! On my snap above, you can discern the diminutive figure of Andrew Benson-Wilson up in the organ loft acknowledging applause, the audience turning round to see him. 
recitals, but it had been a very different scene the previous week at St Giles, an oasis of peace in one of the busiest parts of central London, with garish new skyscrapers just outside. 