CHARLES BURKS AT GALLOWAY MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, JUNE 11, 2001

   Charles Burks was presented in recital at the
convention as the 2001 winner of the AGO/Quimby Southeastern Regional
Young Organists Competition. Opening with J.S. Bach's Prelude and Fugue in
C Major (BWV 545), Burks demonstrated from the outset complete command of
both instrument and music. His performance of the prelude was brisk, with a
strong drive and sense of forward motion. Manual and pedal registrations
were well-balanced; however, I found myself wishing for a "Baroque" pedal
reed tone (or, perhaps, no reed at all, and modifications to the manual
registration to preserve the manual-pedal balance). The fugue was given a
majestic rendition, with a nicely planned registration increase at the final
pedal entrance. Dan Locklair's fine new work, Jubilo, was commissioned for
this competition, and competition winners were required to program it on
their winners' recitals. Burks brought a wonderful breadth to the broad,
expansive opening and a spectacular drive to the rapid, jaunty middle
section, which features a lively and ingratiating pedal melody. This
carnival-like atmosphere gave way to an intense passage on full organ, with
a melody reminiscent of the opening theme. The "carnival music" returned for
the flashy conclusion, complete with a rapid glissando down the pedalboard.
Wow! Serving as a complete contrast to the two preceding pieces,
Frescobaldi's Toccata in g minor (book I, no. I) was surprisingly effective
on the Galloway organ, a French instrument tuned to equal temperament.
Surely this piece was a challenge to register on such an organ, but Burks
was unfazed, and gave the audience an exquisite performance; proof positive
that it is important to bring (sadly) often rarely-performed early music to
life, even when faced with the all-too-often lack of a totally appropriate
instrument. This competition requires all competitors to play an
introduction and two stanzas of a hymn as if for accompanying an
enthusiastic congregation. Burks selected "When Jesus Left His Father's
Throne" (KINGSFOLD) and invited the audience to sing - always a welcome
addition to an organ recital. His introduction was creative but well-planned,
and (by far most important) presented the hymn tune clearly. He played the
first verse without any embellishments, and used a colorful reharmonization
for the second verse. His playing of this hymn was very conducive to
congregational singing. Ernst Pepping's seldom-heard Fugue no.2 on "BACH" is
a most engaging piece, and it served as a fine introduction to the recital's
finale, Franz Liszt's colossal Prelude and Fugue on "BACH". Burks' performance
of this fiendishly difficult work was to me the highlight of his program.
He negotiated admirably its many technical challenges; yet, he transcended
mere technical agility, turning in a powerfully artistic performance. The
effect was stunning, almost overwhelming. Following the fugue's mighty
closing chord, the audience rose to its feet in a well-deserved standing
ovation. Bravo, and congratulations!

                                                         -Matthew Whitehouse

Charles Burks was sponsored by Selby and Richard McRae.




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