HANDEL, Fantasie in C; Capriccio
in G minor; Impertinence; Air in G minor; Toccata in G minor; Prelude and
Allegro in A minor; Air in A; Fugue in A minor; Sonatina in A
minor. TOMKINS, Voluntary; Fancy
in A. LOCKE, Voluntary in F.
PURCELL, Toccata in A; Cebell.
CROFT, Voluntary in D minor; Voluntary in
A minor. BLOW, 100th Psalm tune.
HART, Lesson in G.
This very attractive sounding organ was built in 1688 and has a wonderfully
clear and bright tone. It has but five stops namely an Open Diapason (8 feet),
a Stopped Diapason (8 feet), a Principal (4 feet), a Twelfth at 2_ and a
Fifteenth (2 feet). And it is a pleasure, and a relief, to say that it does
not have a noisy action.
All the pieces may be regarded as miniatures and this is because many of
them fall within the category of 'utility music'. The 'concert works' by
Handel are fine pieces enhanced by the bright tone and impeccable, unobtrusive
and exemplary playing of Alan Cuckston.
The Fantasie is a gem and both the Toccata and the Prelude
and Allegro have, at times, a remarkable virtuosity. The Air in A
has a very human breathing quality reflecting the character of the stopped
Diapason. I was surprised at the use of the title Sonatina and couldn't
Handel write a really good fugue untrammelled by the tedious
over-academic style associated with his famous contemporary?
A splendid disc that needs neither me nor anyone else to say more.
Reviewer
David Wright
Performances
Recording
Played
on the Father Smith organ at St Peter's Chapel, Auckland, County Durham by
Alan Cuckston. 
