PAUL LEE AT ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH, JUNE 13, 2001

   Paul Lee began this program of 19th and 20th century music with his
own transcription of Brahm's Rhapsodie in b Minor for piano. This was
so successful that one could imagine that Brahms had composed the
piece first for organ and then transcribed it for piano. This was
followed by Brahm's Prelude and Fugue in g Minor (for organ). Lee's
playing was perfectly matched to the music; in the fugue, for example,
the phrasing was entirely consistent through all voices including the
pedal. Next was Saint-Saens' Fantasie in Eb Major, one of those wonderful
light, soft, and quick pieces that should be played more often! The
high point of the program was Durufle's Suite for Organ, Op. 5. It
was done in memory of three figures in the organ world who are no
longer with us: Mark Ritchie, Michael Farris (who played in Jackson
a few years back), and James Hammack (who had a magical way with
pipes). The Suite included a prelude, an expansive piece; a sicilienne,
with a cantus firmus eventually settling in the tenor; and a monumental
toccata which exploded onto the scene, bringing the audience to its feet
in the only standing ovation of the convention that came before the end
of a recital! But more was to follow. Bossi's Stunde der Weihe provided
a soft and slow contrast to the Durufle, and Heiler's Tanz Toccata closed
the formal program with a flourish. Lee was called back for an encore -
a transcription of Chopin's famliar piano work - Polonaise Militaire
in A major - which he played with the kind of vigor one expects at the
beginning of a strenuous program. This was a truly astounding recital.

                                                - Glenn A. Gentry

Paul Lee was sponsored by Dr. & Mrs. Glenn A. Gentry




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