RICHARD WALKER AT ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH, APRIL 5, 2001

   Walker opened this recital with Mendelssohn's Sonata III in A Major
with a full sound and a driving tempo. In keeping with the Lenten season,
he next played six passiontide chorale preludes - three by Bach and three
by Karg-Elert. Of these the Bach "Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend"
(BWV 655) was notable in that the pedal cantus firmus was articulated as
it would be sung - more or less legato - while the rest of the piece
was played in a detached manner well matched to the live acoustics of the
room. This showed a welcome extra measure of insight on Walker's part.
Franck's Prelude, Fugue, and Variation followed, and then four movements
(nos. 1, 6, 11, and 14) from Dupre's Way of the Cross (Op. 29). Walker
closed the recital with Bach's Toccata & Fugue in d Minor (BWV 565), giving
it a rhythmic and very musical performance. He is a facile and sensitive
player. I also enjoyed hearing - for the first time - the new Steiner-Reck
organ at St. James' Church. It will enhance the worship of the congregation
and the musical life of the community for years to come.

                                                 - Glenn A. Gentry





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