Atmospheric evening of organ music

8:00am Friday 9th May 2008

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Review by Helen Kirby: Organ Recital for Arts and Community in Thornbury.

DAVID Shaw, musical Director and organist at Olveston Parish Church for 25 years, gave this organ recital as part of a rolling programme of events - to raise awareness and funds for a new performance and arts venue, to benefit Thornbury and surrounding districts.

David worked very hard, bobbing up and down from the organ to introduce the chosen works; and giving some interesting background information and entertaining anecdotes about the music and composers.

The programme was very varied ranging from Voluntary No. 8 composed by John Stanley (1713-86). Stanley was a blind composer, which left us all wondering how he managed to notate his music in the days before technology. There was also a beautiful arrangement of Elgar's Nimrod for organ (and mobile phone..). There were also works by Bach, Albinoni and the well-known Radetzky March by Johann Strauss, all of which showed not only what an organ virtuoso David is, but also the versatility and depth of the church organ.

At the end of the first half, the choir, conducted by David, sung two spirituals: Were you There? and Steal Away. These were sung unaccompanied and in four parts. The standard was such that one was left wondering why this village choir has not yet entered the choir of the year competition.

A highlight of the second half was the arrangement of The Entertainer by Scott Joplin. The concert ended with Suite Gothique by Leon Boellmann. The powerful work played on such a majestic instrument by such an accomplished organist, in the atmospheric ambience of the packed church, was a very fitting climax to a most informative, amusing and interesting evening. Our thanks go to David who was truly splendid. An evening we will never forget.