Appreciation by Mary Whittaker

Chris Ouvry-Johns began his presentation by describing his own musical journey since his voice broke and he began to play the organ seriously. (He also now takes on baritone solos!) This part of the evening was well illustrated with recordings of works which had particular meaning for him as he furthered his studies on the continent, especially in Germany.

After the refreshment break, we moved into the church, where he demonstrated his considerable skills on the organ. He had spent a couple of hours getting used to this electronic organ the previous day. A member of the society who hears that instrument regularly commented afterwards that Ouvry-Johns had "created nuances on that organ that he had never heard from it before!"

Further Notes by David Fisher

Chris’s talk about his love/hate relationship with the organ, and the role that the instrument has played in his career, was enjoyed by a large and appreciative audience. It included a Mendelsohn Sonata, the Elgar Sonata in G for Organ and the Hymn Prelude on ‘Angel Voices’ by Francis Jackson, dedicated to his parents and not yet commercially recorded. These were all played with sensitivity and with registrations appropriate to the digital organ rather than the cathedral organ which is his usual instrument.

In the Keene Room prior to the recital, Chris introduced the society to recordings which have inspired him over the past 35 years, including repertoire which ranged from the simple pieces that he learned as a beginner pupil of Tom Corfield at Derby Cathedral, through to Duruflé’s thrilling Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d’Alain, which he first performed at Leicester Cathedral last November. As Chris has spoken to the society twice before, I know from experience that his talks and performing skills are meticulous, enlightening and always presented with humorous and informative anecdotes. This evening was no exception. No-one ever stops learning and we all enjoy listening to and learning from musicians like him who can delve into their specialist areas and educate us in what makes them tick. His recorded examples and insights into organs of different nations were fascinating as were the pieces he used to demonstrate his skills. The Duruflé, in particular, was a tour-de-force of interpretation which filled the chapel with wonderful French music and provided a splendid finale to a great meeting.