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Lunchtime
Recitalist - MARCUS REEVES |
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At the age of 13, Marcus undertook organ lessons with David Bishop, later studying with Clive Grant. He is currently reading for a degree in music at Southampton University and studies the organ with Stephen Farr at Guildford Cathedral. Marcus is in demand in many of the Southampton Churches and this year made his debut public recital outside of the university. He is fortunate to play regular services at St. Mary's Church, the Mother Church of Southampton. Within the university, Marcus is in demand both as accompanist and as a conductor. Earlier this year he was Assistant Musical Director for a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance and Musical Director for a production of Trial by Jury. He is also Assistant Conductor of the University Chamber Choir, with whom he will be conducting several concerts next year. He also hopes to be conducting them in a performance of Bach's St. John Passion. This year also marked his orchestral debut with the University Symphony Orchestra, with whom he will be performing Saint-Saen's "Organ" Symphony next Easter. After graduation from Southampton, Marcus hopes to continue his musical studies on a postgraduate performance course at the Royal Academy of Music in London. August 2000 |
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RECITAL REVIEW Marcus Reeves was the soloist in the organ recital presented last Thursday lunchtime in Newbury Parish Church by the Newbury and District Organists’ Association. Marcus Reeves has been long associated with both St. John’s and St. Nicolas’ churches. He studied the organ with David Bishop and Clive Grant before going on to Southampton University where he is currently reading for a degree in music. His recital contained music by J.S. Bach, Alain, Elgar, Tournemire and Langlais. He began with Bach’s Toccata in D minor (Dorian). This was a splendid performance in which he had chosen appropriate registration and played with rock- steady rhythm without sounding mechanical. Then came two pieces by Alain (1911-1940). First was the Variations sur une Theme à Clement Jannequin. The renaissance composer’s theme was harmonised simply and was followed by three variations with rich complex harmonies. This was a fine performance as was Alain’ s Le Jardin Suspendu. Here was an atmosphere of mystery beginning and ending with a sustained, high note, which unfortunately masked the accompanying figure. Elgar’s Organ Sonata in No. 1 in G dates from 1895 in which the composer already shows his mastery of symphonic form. Marcus Reeves played its first movement, giving an outstanding reading of a work that is not easy to bring off. Then it was back to Bach with the first three chorale preludes from his Clavierübung III where the composer is portraying the Three Persons of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Again, it was fine Bach playing. Marcus Reeves returned to France for his last two pieces. The first was by Charles Tournemire (1870-1939) and was L’Orgue Mystique and deals with the Immaculate Conception and finally we heard Jean Langlais’ Hymne d’Action de Grace (Te Deum). It was a most impressive recital and augurs extremely well for Marcus Reeves’ future musical career. On September 14th, David Reynolds, organist at St. Nicolas and Chairman of NODA will be the soloist. Stan Kirk. 10.8.2000. |
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Lunchtime
Organ Recital given by Marcus Reeves |
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