MUSICIANSHIP AND RESTRAINT

Tom Corfield's organ playing
impresses TONY WESTERMAN

As ever, Dr Tom Corfield opened his well-attended recital [20 August 2014, Derby Cathedral, UK] by establishing a rapport with the Derby audience who always appreciate his understated dry wit, secure in the knowledge that they are about to enjoy pieces that have been thoroughly researched and meticulously prepared.

The rather dark Allegro Risoluto (Symphony No 2) by Louis Vierne, with which Corfield opened his recital, requires fluid dynamic changes and, on an English organ, careful registration. Corfield captured all of the drama and tension of the piece, exploiting the wide range of string tone and foundation stops on the Compton, blending them with carefully graduated dynamics — no wild stabs at the Swell box here.