Prom 58 - 26.08.13: Light Organ Prom

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

4.30pm – c. 5.30pm
Royal Albert Hall

Coates
March 'Sound and Vision' (4 mins)
Sullivan
Mikado Memories (arr. R. Hills) (7 mins)
Ireland
Miniature Suite - Villanella (4 mins)
Mayerl
Four Aces Suite - Ace of Hearts (3 mins)
German
Three Dances from Nell Gywn (12 mins)
Waller
A Handful of Keys (3 mins)

Richard Hills organ

The annual Royal Albert Hall organ Prom this year sees the mighty Henry Willis instrument in a concert of light music. It's performed by the young British organist Richard Hills - who has an impeccable pedigree as a 'classical' organ player, but also a long-standing interest in the music of the theatre organ. His programme evokes the glory days of the instrument, in the mid twentieth century, with a selection of arrangements, original works and lollipops.

The annual Royal Albert Hall organ Prom this year sees the mighty Henry Willis instrument in a concert of light music. It's performed by the young British organist Richard Hills - who has an impeccable pedigree as a 'classical' organ player, but also a long-standing interest in the music of the theatre organ. His programme evokes the glory days of the instrument, in the mid twentieth century, with a selection of arrangements, original works and lollipops.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Wot? No Wurlitzer?

[mercia]

on paper that adds up to 33 minutes [shortest prom ever ?], perhaps there will be a lot of chat - which might be more interesting than the music

[Vile Consort]

Perhaps he'll play the Reubke sonata as an encore

This sort of thing doesn't do much for the organ repertoire. If there's only going to be one organ prom, then some actual organ music ought to be played.

[Madame Suggia]

Portable organ?

[hmvman]

Wot? No Wurlitzer?

At the Light Music Prom in July the RAH organ was made to sound quite Wurlitzer-like during the Langford Say it With Music medley.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I thought the Light Organ must have been something Scriabin dreamed up for one of his extravagant late inspirations

[VodkaDilc]

I thought of getting tickets for this Prom. The RAH organ is a superb beast and I admire Hills as an organist (I have his CD of this type of repertoire, played on the Southampton Guildhall Compton.) What put me off though was the length of the programme - it's difficult to justify a long journey for an hour's programme. Perhaps we could have some full-length organ Proms next year.

[mercia]

very well played and presented. well done. I think I enjoyed the encore most.
a few minutes of Mr Hills to watch

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01fp4bb

[BBMmk2]

Must hear this. Be quite a change.

[Frances_iom]

The 'light' probably also refers to the 40% or so talk - however it was a well crafted programme and very enjoyable but why can't we have a bit more 'serious' organ music as well.

[Petrushka]

The 'light' probably also refers to the 40% or so talk - however it was a well crafted programme and very enjoyable but why can't we have a bit more 'serious' organ music as well.

There is some Bach organ music preceding the Bruckner 8 with the VPO on September 6. The organist is Klaus Sonnleitner, currently organist at Bruckner's 'own' St Florian. I know it's not what you really meant but better than nothing, I suppose.

[edashtav]

There is some Bach organ music preceding the Bruckner 8 with the VPO on September 6. The organist is Klaus Sonnleitner, currently organist at Bruckner's 'own' St Florian. I now it's not what you really meant but better than nothing, I suppose.

Well-spotted, Petruskha. Not the most erudite selection of JSB but something that will make powering up the RAH organ worthwhile. I hope to be there.

[Petrushka]

Well-spotted, Petruskha. Not the most erudite selection of JSB but something that will make powering up the RAH organ worthwhile. I hope to be there.

I will most certainly be there!

[edashtav]

I will most certainly be there!

I'm hoping that a friend of a friend is too busy to use his ticket. Although I regard Lorin Maazel as a martinet, this remains one of highlights of this season.