11 March 2014
The organ in St Laurence, Catsfield, is the only remaining Sweetland in East Sussex, having been the gift of Annie Lady Brassey in 1883. It is currently in good condition even if very heavy in action and response. We were fortunate to have five organists available to play for us, giving a wide range of music and approaches to registration.
The churches own organist, Bob, spoke briefly about the instrument before playing some Bach for us, in a romantic style. Rowena Kempner brought us an eclectic selection ranging from John Ireland’s gentle Sursum Corda highlighting the organ’s string tones, to variations on Hey Jude and concluding with a rousing Edwardian March.
Stephen Page opened with a short, bright piece by Michael Higgins before the familiar Tambourin by Gossec, with its light clear tones. A Chorale Prelude by Francis Jackson returned us to warmly familiar and mellow English registration. By contrast, Latour’s variations on Rule Britannia opened up the throttle on the pedal to fine effect, before he concluded with an Epilogue by William Lloyd Webber, whose centenary fell yesterday.
This should have brought us to refreshments, but before then the choir sang three short items for us, concluding with Surely, he has born our griefs from Messiah.
After a veritable feast – no simple coffee and biscuits here – Alan Constable played a range of familiar favourites for us, including Finlandia, Danny Boy and Bless this house. Julius Weeks brought the evening to a close with a Chorale Prelude by Kirnberger, the sublime Andante cantabile from Widor’s 5th Symphony and a brief but uplifting Postlude by Healey Willan.
There was still enough food for doggy-bags to be supplied at the end!
We are very grateful to the members of St Laurence, Catsfield, for making us so welcome.
The next meeting will be the book launch celebrations on Saturday 26 April