Binns Organ Series 2021 - John Keys

Due to an arm injury, Thomas Trotter is not available to play this concert as originally advertised. In his place John Keys, Nottingham City Organist, will give his programme. He begins with Bach’s monumental Fantasia and Fugue in G minor. The rest of the first half is far more modern, the group of pieces called 'Out of Africa' referring to the origins of the music connected with that continent. Florence Price was an African-American composer, Kevin Volans is a South African / Irish composer who has explored indigenous African music, while Nigerian Fela Sowande accompanied Vera Lynn’s first records on the BBC Theatre Organ.

John Gardner is well-known to carol audiences for Tomorrow shall be my Dancing Day, and there is no shortage of dances to end the first part of this recital. Saint-Saëns begins the second half in contemplative mood, and this is followed by his well-known Fantaisie No 1. Remaining in France, we hear Maurice Duruflé’s sprightly tribute to his fellow composer Jehain Alain. Wagner transcriptions by Edwin Lemare, who opened this organ in October 1910, conclude this recital: the Romance to the Evening Star (often called O Star of Eve) from Tannhäuser, followed by the blockbuster Ride of the Valkyries.