Cranleigh School’s organist Phillip Scriven launched another year-long organ series on September 9th including 
two of Vierne’s ‘Pièces en Style Libre’: the evocative ‘Préamble’ and the’Cortège’ with its air of Gothic horror. A third Vierne piece began in the pedals and ended in tutti-flutely delight, demonstrating the stops of the School’s Mander organ to ear-tickling effect The recital kicked off with nifty footwork (visible on the big screen) in the colourful ‘Carillon-Sortie’ by Mulet.
As the main masterwork in the programme Phillip Scriven treated his devoted followers to the mighty sixth of Widor’s organ symphonies with its hugely imposing opening ‘Allegro’: the organ pipes seemed to scream rather than sing in the coruscating climax. The variety of colour of the Mander instrument and the astonishing musicianship of Mr Scriven were paraded in the ensuing sections: an ‘Adagio’ of Victorian dignity; the ‘Intermezzo’ with its quick-fire quips; the exotic harmonies spicing up the lyrical ‘Cantabile’; and the exciting triumph of the ‘Final’.
The audience for this lunchtime concert included current members of Common Room, former members of Common Room, an OC (from 2009) and many friends of the School, the organ and the organist. We would love to welcome more parents and friends of the School to the next recital on Tuesday October 7th at 12-45 pm. Admission is free, though a small donation of £5 is suggested and drinks and sandwiches are provided.
Peter Longshaw
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