Organs

I was watching and listening to Durham cathedral organ recitals by Joseph Beech and Imogen Morgan then tried evensong but all I got was organ?  Malcolm Archer played a lovely English programme at St Michael Cornhill including FJ, Whitlock and Darke and some of his own works. Curiously he also played Howells Rhapsody no 3. Lovely programme on Bernard Haitink at 90. We loved it and the contributions from Sarah Connolly and Thomas Allen were excellent. It was great that he was able to speak and explain. The "magic" is something that the really great have - Haitink, Giulini, Solti, Abbado, Furtwangler, Klemperer, Toscanini ( a golden era) Some of those were really loved by all musicians and public. Others do approach it Salonen, Rattle, Harding, Jarvi. It's all about conveying the score and knowing the score intimately and not caring how you look! Humility with authority! I'd put Boult up there too - not so sure about Beecham and Sargent. Andrew Davis and Colin Davis Yes they had it too. Did James Levine have it? Good question. Mehta is another ? mark. Barenboim on occasion superb. Ashkenazy and Rostropovich not great conductors but fantastic musicians. I reckon Britten had it too although sadly I never saw him. Thomas Ades has it as well. Sorry this is a bit scatter gun. Elgar had it. I am told Vaughan Williams was not that clear! Dudamel a rising star and he certainly conveys the composer's intentions. It will be interesting to see other's comments. 

Sunday grey and cold. For 80th anniversary of Battle of Britain played Walton Spitfire prelude, RAF march past and Dambusters march for which I got a clap. Suantraihde and Handel Aria from water music. Also practised Wedding march (not played it for years!) Jerry invited folk to join the choir which should be back in October. Albert Herring from Glyndebourne with John Graham Hall conducted by Haitink. MMartyn Noble playing at Gillingham Methodist churchartyn Noble playing at Gillingham Methodist church