IN the most beautiful Georgian church of Old St Martin’s enhanced with lovely floral arrangements, David Brookshaw, music director of the church gave an enjoyable lunchtime recital.

He began with Bach’s Prelude & Fugue in E minor the prelude robustly delivered then the fugue where we heard each voice clearly, one from some super bass pedalling. The tempo quickened and the polyphonic texture became ever more complex.

Liebster Jesu, by Bach also, was a tranquil tune augmented with gentle flute. A bold fanfare anchored by a low pedal opened Marchand’s Dialogue, which gained momentum until some splendid contrapuntal playing was achieved. Les Bergers by Messiaen revealed moody close harmonies with its melody in staccato above. Again by Messiaen, Priere du Christ exhibited a tune played by a rippling flute with characteristic layers of harmony. Exquisite veiled, watery harmonies, the melody shining through emerged in Meditations sur le Mystere de la Saint Trinite, in a performance of much beauty.

Vaughan Williams’ skill in incorporating and extending an existing hymn-tune was apparent in Rhosymedre and ‘Humeresque’ L’Organo Primitivo by Yon was a fun piece, rhythmic dancing on the flutes reminding us of a hurdy-gurdy!

Boellman’s Toccata (Suite Gothique) brought the recital to a stirring end as a loudly pedalled tune was decorated in abundance.

JILL HOPKINS