Dear all,

For anybody who is interested in the organ works of Franz Liszt, this might be the year to hear some of them performed in recitals (200 years since his birth).

On Saturday evening at 7pm there is a recital in York Minster containing Liszt's 'Three Major Works for Organ'. It will be given by John Scott Whiteley and is part of the annual Summer Organ Festival. The programme is:


Prelude after Bach's Cantata 'Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen' (S179)

Fantasia and Fugue on B.A.C.H (S529)

Short interval - please remain seated

Fantasia and Fugue on the Chorale "Ad nos, ad sulaterem undam" (S2559)


A rare opportunity to hear some of this - flagging up "Ad nos" in particular, this seems to be far less performed as one of the longer works of the concert repertoire than say the Reubke Sonata or complete Widor/Vierne symphonies. It is a significant and monumental work.

Hope this is of interest,

Tosher

The BACH is a great piece, however some time ago I heard 'Ad Nos' played by Nicholas Kynaston in the Kelvin Art Gallery and was thoroughly bored ! I dont think Id want to sit though it again.

Agreed! Also I think the Reubke to be a far better work. He was after all Listz's pupil so he must have learned something from the master. Having said that I'm sure, if you can put up with a whole evening of Listz, J S-W will do a sterling job. I live less than an hour's drive from York but I don't think I'll be going.

Perhaps Kynaston did not play it very well !
In my opinion it is a great work with dramatic, rhythmic and harmonic variety also showing Liszt's contrapuntal skills in the brilliant final fugue. Liszt was not a professional organist and does not give registration suggestions so it is all up to the performing organist to produce the most effective and colourful sounds. I have never heard a poor or uninteresting performance from John Scott Whiteley and I'm sure with his intimate knowledge of and familiarity with the York Minster Organ his will be an exciting account. I have his recent recording of this work which is impressive.

For completeness and interest - this was a monumental and truly magnificent performance, and the recital was very well attended. Did anybody from here make it?

I have been truly and deeply moved by a handful of quality (benchmarking and deeply felt) performances in the Minster over the years, and last night was one of them. The Fugue of Ad Nos and the entirety of Weinen Klagen were very special indeed. These can be found on Spotify!

Tosher

So glad you were inspired by the performance. I'm afraid I missed it. Having been out at another event in the afternoon I was disinclined to drive 70 odd miles to York after tea.