Classical music concert not to be missed

13 Mar 2014

By The Record

Acclaimed artistic director and organist, Dominic Perissinotto during a Pipe Organs Plus Concert at St Patrick’s.

Pipe Organ Plus was established in 2001 to showcase Western Australia’s largest and most impressive pipe organ, bringing a wider audience to the organ through association with other musicians, while exploring the full spectrum of music from medieval to modern.

Opening the 14th Pipe Organ Plus concert season, Symphonique showcases the extraordinary talent of one of Australia’s most highly regarded pipe organists, Dominic Perissinotto. In this highly anticipated solo recital, Dominic explores the breathtaking works of a wide-ranging collection of composers.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto in D minor BWV 596 after Antonio Vivaldi opens the recital, and is an example of Bach as a master arranger of music.

Bach gives the performer multiple bravura passages, while maintaining a reverence for the Italian style.

Mozart’s Adagio and Fugue in C Minor follows, and is an apt choice as the work was inspired by the contrapuntal style of JS Bach.

Written in 1783, the classical Mozart harks back to something more Baroque in this darkly intense work.

Move forward almost two centuries to a performance of Swiss organist and composer Guy Bouvet’s Trois Preludes Hambourgeois.

A respected scholar of historical organs, Bouvet’s works were originally improvisations, and as such bring a spirit of spontaneity, fun and freedom to the program.

Following the interval, Perissinotto plays the work of the 19th century Frenchman Lefébure-Wély.

Sometimes sentimental, always lyrical, his Sortie in E flat is a wonderful example of the composer’s effortless, improvisational style.

British composer, violinist, and private tutor, Frank Bridge was known as a highly gifted, and technically precise musician.

Despite not being himself an organist, his short pieces for organ, including this Adagio in E minor, are some of his most performed works.

A fitting conclusion to Symphonique is Cesar Franck’s Grande Piece Symphonique.

An imposing work, it rivals the greatest orchestral works in its symphonic scope.

Resonant, emphatic,unforgettable, Franck’s masterpiece is a fitting finale to this exceptional program.

Don’t miss this enchanting journey of musical discovery, presented by one of Perth’s finest performers.

The concert runs for approximately two hours and includes an interval where enticing, complimentary refreshments will be served.

Electronic tickets are available at www.trybooking.com/DWSI or  for purchase at the door from one hour prior to the concert.