Organ and Orchestra Spectacular

This August concert was a mixture of orchestral works, organ works and combined pieces. Unlike a concerto where  the soloist is upfront and prominent, the organist is confined to the console. At Saint James, Jonathan the organist can be seen behind the massed cellos and basses.

This photo of the introduction shows the size and variety of the organ pipes.  
The audience was treated to a wonderful display of both the powerful and 
the more restrained nature of organ music.

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The opening piece of the concert was a combined stirring  Military March by Saints-Saëns. This was followed by a second Saints-Saëns piece, "The Swan", this time arranged for the organ.

After the orchestra played the fourth movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony, Jonathan gave an introduction to the organ pieces where he noted that he was continuing with César Frank, who in a relatively small number of works initiated the modern works for the organ.

Below is a view of the complex console of the organ. During the concert interval,
Jonathan showed an interested group, including a number of younger people, the 
possibilities of multiple keyboards and the various stops. 
(Not to mention being careful where you put your feet.)

In the second half, there were works by Bruckner for orchestra alone and also for the organ. With two more organ pieces, including Boëllmann's Gothic Suite, there was plenty to entertain
an organ enthusiast. The orchestra then showed how the Prière à Notre Dame from the Gothic Suite sounds as an orchestral arrangement before rounding off the concert with the familiar
Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March No 4 and a lively encore performance of 
Sousa's Liberty Bell March.  All and all, a resounding concert.