Our splendid civic instrument turns 20

[Soubasse]

Have just returned from a thoroughly entertaining birthday celebration for the Adelaide Town Hall's superb J W Walker organ. The magnificent Thomas Trotter (with the city's Symphony Orchestra) performed some solo pieces along with the main drawcard, Jongen's Symphonie Concertante.

It was a pleasantly cyclic move having TT performing as it was he who first played the instrument upon it's completion in the Walker factory in Suffolk before it was shipped to Oz.

Dr Trotter was as brilliant as ever. His solo pieces were the Hollins c minor Concert Overture, a fascinating piece by Wammes titled Mirior and that piece of Thalben-Ball, the Paganini Variations for pedals.

The orchestra were not up to their usual high standard during Walton's Crown Imperial Coronation March but thankfully managed to lift their game for the Jongen which, largely thanks to Thomas Trotter's role, was nothing short of stunning.

[teddy]

Sounds like a throughly enjoyable event.

teddy

[wljmrbill]

Would have enjoyed it myself I am sure. Glad you got to go.. any posting anywhere for it?

[Contratrombone64]

Matt, wonder if Aunty was present with her microphones for later broadcast, did you notice?

And as to the Adelaide Symphony, there's nothing like a couple of rounds playing with your Ring to improve your technique, if you catch my drift. The ASO certainly is a fine ensemble now.

[Bagnew]

They did the Crown Imperial Coronation March at Thomas Trotter's concert with the APO on the new organ at the Auckland Town Hall earlier this year, along with the Poulenc Concerto and Saint-Saens' 3rd Symphony. TT certainly is a fine player! Hopefully he will return next year for the 100th birthday of the Original Auckland Town Hall organ?

[Soubasse]

Matt, wonder if Aunty was present with her microphones for later broadcast, did you notice?

As it happens I did notice and yes there were quite a few mics littered about the stage, so if it wasn't broadcast live (and I'm not aware as to whether it was or not), it was certainly recorded so fingers crossed they'll air it sometime soon. I only hope they don't compress the hell out of it like they have before.

And as to the Adelaide Symphony, there's nothing like a couple of rounds playing with your Ring to improve your technique, if you catch my drift. The ASO certainly is a fine ensemble now.

Aye, it was the Ring performances that had them favourably compared to the Vienna Phil. Their rendering of the Jongen last night certainly puts them up with any other international ensemble I'm happy to say.

If time permits later this week, I'll try to post a more extended review.

[Contratrombone64]

In all honesty, and I own about 7 different recordings of the Ring on CD (love it so much). The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra's is about as good as it gets (especially considering it was recorded live).

[Soubasse]

Bumping this to say that I'm sorry to have missed last weeks broadcast of the Thomas Trotter/ASO concert on ABC FM, and therefore sorry not to have been able to pass on the details to the rest of you who were interested as I gather it was also streamed on the internet.
However, a pal of mine has sent me a CD of the broadcast! Haven't had a proper listen yet, but unfortunately, they have compressed it a lot. Whilst I shouldn't post clips up on YouTube or anything like that, perhaps I could send a few clips to interested parties here?