Len Bobo, Organist, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, October 9, 2006
The program began well with Dieterich Buxtehude's Prelude and Fugue in
e minor, a piece that might as well have been called "Prelude and
Fugues"; there were at least two smaller fugue sections within the
fugue. For that matter, the prelude was fugal in nature. All these
sections were exploited to great effect by Bobo, especially the vivace,
which was given an exciting contrast in registration. Next was J.S. Bach's
Trio Sonata #1 in Eb Major, BWV 525. More often than not the left and
right hands - which play on different manuals - are given equal but
contrasting registrations; here Bobo gave the first movement a fresh
and welcome interpretation with the left hand predominating, and the
right with a less intense but brighter sound. Some say these six sonatas
should never be played in public, because of the risk (they are wretchedly
difficult) but Bobo made this one sound easy. There followed a sonata
of a decidedly different sort - Alexander Guilmant's 2nd Sonata, which
had a bigger and more complicated - but still impressive - sound. Bobo
then played a very short but bright Trio by English organist Peter
Hurford, to provide an effective closing bracket around the Guilmant.
Bobo the composer was next, with a lively set of interconnected variations
on some sacred harp tunes (including "Beach Spring") entitled simply
Appalachian Prelude. The program closed with Joseph Jongen's
Toccata, a big piece full of fireworks (but not moreso that the
closing of the previous piece). There was familiar and unfamilar music,
old and new music here, all played with accuracy and sensitivity.
- Glenn A. Gentry