jonadkins

The programme: Wednesday 17 October 2007 3pm & 7.30pm Handel - Organ Concerto no 16 in F Widor - Allegro Vivace from Symphonie V Morandi (arr. Best) - Bell Rondo Paul Patterson - New work (specially commissioned) Elgar - First movement of Sonata in G Thalben-Ball - Paganini variations for pedal Saint-Saens (arr. Lemare) - Danse Macabre Bizet (arr. Lemare) - Carmen suite By the way, I'd much rather hear Thomas Trotter give a recital like this than many other organists in a more supposedly "highbrow" programme...

Am in complete agreement with you on this: Trotter is certainly one of the world's foremost Messiaen interpreters for organ. Dame Gillian, to my taste, does not quite manage to make as much of the music, and sounds almost rushed by comparison (particularly in that exquisite Communion movement). I find it hard to believe that Trotter is not himself a fan of Messiaen, though, having recorded the disc in question, Les Corps glorieux (I forget where) and programming his music fairly regularly in recitals. Having said that, I don't know how willing he would be to do a complete Messiaen recording, which I would love!