David Flood  23 July

The most interesting parts of this concert came at the beginning and the end. The opening Tema met Variaties by H Andriessen brought us a full range of colour and some challenging, but not upsetting, harmonies. The encore – Fiat Lux by Dubois – had the most pleasing articulation of the evening and the most sparkle.

For much of the time in between the playing was proficient but rarely exciting. Bach’s Wedge Prelude and Fugue had little sense of emotional involvement in its phrasing and the registration lacked colour and dynamic. Guilmant’s March on a theme of Handel was effectively another prelude and fugue, with some rather aggressive use of the swell pedal. Mendelssohn’s Fourth Organ Sonata fared rather better with some fire and energy towards the end.

Franck’s Cantabile opened the second half followed by yet another prelude and fugue – this time Durufle’s reflective composition on the name ALAIN. It had some effective moments but the opening was lost within the depths of the instrument.

Flor Peeters Lied to the flowers is a gentle, fascinating work which requires a highly sensitive palate of tone colour. The pentatonic melody lines are beguiling but need a far softer registration than it was given here.

The finale from Widor’s sixth symphony made for an exciting close even if, by now, the impact of the concert had been lost. David Flood has played in Hastings a number of times previously and is known as a fine performer. Unfortunately this was not one of his strongest appearances. BH

Next Monday 30 July Nigel Ogden ‘Mr Organist Entertains’