Reporter: Dr Joe Dawson
Date online: 12/06/2008

Rochdale has a magnificent organ in the Town Hall, renowned as one of the important instruments of Europe. It was a great treat to hear it played once more in its own superb setting by a skilled master of the keyboard. Virtuoso soloist John Keys was born in Chester where he initially trained at the cathedral before becoming an organ scholar at New College Oxford and then the Geneva Conservatoire. He is now based in Nottingham and tours extensively as a soloist

A popular and varied programme, admirably suited to the instrument began with the much-loved Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 and Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba that rattled the rafters.

Some charming Mozart and soulful Vaughan Williams led to the monumental Prelude and Fugue in E flat by JS Bach. Here was a commanding and mature interpretation, a real tour de force.

The second half consisted of some interesting Schumann and Mendelssohn, the triumphal Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke and spiritual Vierne. Finally, Sortie in B flat by Lefebure-Wely, sounding like a massive fairground organ, brought an excellent concert to a resounding close.

This concert was in addition to the half a dozen Saturday Midday concerts organised by ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association) who do a splendid job in promoting organ music in general and the civic instrument in particular.

So, whoever agreed this at the town hall, please can we have some more?

Organ Recital - Soloist John Keys
Rochdale Town Hall
Sunday 25 June 2006