AMAZING AND DYNAMIC

An organ recital by Martin Baker,
reviewed by TONY WESTERMAN

Martin Baker (Westminster Cathedral) opened his recital [19 July 2006, Derby Catheral, UK] with a crisp performance of Bach's Prelude and Fugue in F, BWV 540, in which he demonstrated the consistent phrasing and clear articulation that informed his playing for the evening. Mozart's Andante in F, K616, served to remind us that simple pieces, played well, can enthral and delight just as much as works from later periods. His own arrangement of Mozart's Symphony No 40 in G minor was interesting, though the registrations of the tutti sections were perhaps rather heavy.

The highlight of the evening was Baker's stunning improvisation on the opening bar of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; after the minimalist opening there were references to Borodin, Prokofiev and even hints of Purcell that provided an amazing and dynamic climax to the evening.