I never thought I would see three of Edinburgh’s well known organists playing The Stars and Stripes Together by John Sousa - six handed! This was the way the late Sunday night organ recital ended, and very exciting it was.
The three organists played in all ten works, six solo and three duets - before the ending trio. John Kitchen opened with Johan Helmich Roman’s Sinfonia de chiesa and was joined by Peter Backhouse for Beethoven’s Adagio für die Flötenuhr. Peter Backhouse played Henry Smart’s Postlude in D and Michael Harris the very impressive Allegretto scherzando by William Wolstenholme.
John Kitchen was back to play Theme and Variations in D by Mendelssohn. Peter Backhouse and Michael Harris played Gustav Merkel’s Allegro con fuoco and Peter Backhouse Edward Bairstow’s Scherzo in A flat. Michael Harris played Kenneth Leighton’s Paean and was joined by John Kitchen for Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
It was then that all three were at the organ’s keyboard. I don’t know if they, or the audience, were more thrilled. The 1992 Rieger organ was put through its paces and it was great fun. It really was.
Event: Sunday 22 August 10.30 pm.