Monday 8 August, 2016

In his first visit to Hastings Simon Hogan, assistant organist at Southwell Minster, gave us an evening of assured performances in a well chosen programme. The first half was given an interesting structure with the two movements of Bach’s Prelude & Fugue in Eb bookending four other items spanning around four hundred years and all from these shores.

The first of these, William Byrd’s A fancie for my Ladye Nevell, an extended florid free composition for manuals, demonstrated Simon’s brilliant mastery of the manuals and also showed, as in the pieces that followed, his ability to conjure beautiful and authentic registrations from this instrument. S S Wesley’s Andante in F gave Simon the chance to produce some English romantic sounds both delicate and robust. The lyrical Allegretto grazioso by Frank Bridge showed off Simon’s sensitive side. A change of mood came with William Mathias’ Toccata giocoso, and demonstrated again Mr Hogan’s affinity with a wide range of musical styles.

A very welcome feature of this recital was the giving over of the second half to a complete organ symphony.  Widor’s Symphony No 6 in G minor is a Romantic tour de force. Simon gave an entertaining and convincing performance of this piece, at times majestic, sometimes lyrical and often virtuosic including the demanding extended pedal flourishes.  His command of the All Saints Willis was superb throughout and he demonstrated agility and technical brilliance as well as a sensitivity for conveying this music on an instrument very different from that for which it was originally written.

The enthusiastic audience was treated to a Scherzo from Vierne’s Symphony No 2 as an encore. This light but by no means slight offering brought this superb concert to an end. It is to be hoped that this will not be the only visit to Hastings for Simon Hogan and his excellent assistant who also worked incredibly hard throughout the evening.

Stephen Page