Julian Haggett Organ Recital at St. Peter Mancroft Church

After the New Year's Day Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral on Tuesday 1st January 2013 I walked to the St. Peter Mancroft Church for the New Year Organ Recital from Julian Haggett who is the Organist at the church. He has toured on organ in Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom Recital venues.

The programme consisted of Prelude and Fugue D BWV 532 - Bach, Jesus accepte la souffrance (La Nativite du Seignuer) - Messiaen, Chorale Prelude In dulci jubilo BWV 729 - Bach, Jesus est bien Marie - Balbastre, Suisse Noel - Daquin, Chorale Preludes In dir ist Frelude BWV 615 - Bach, Wie Schon leuchtet der Morgenstern - Pachelbel, Les Mages (La Nativite du Seignuer) - Messiaen and Toccata from Symphony V in F minor - Widor.

This was another wonderful Organ Recital in Norwich to start the New Year in style. The varied programme of music from Julian Haggett ranged from Bach to the twentieth century organ music of Messiaen. It is always a splendid experience to listen to music in this historic Norwich church next to Norwich Marketplace.

Pachelbel and Bach at The Octagon Chapel

On Thursday 17th November 2011 I attended The Bach Players Pachelbel and Bach concert at The Octagon Chapel, Norwich where there was a large crowd for their third concert of the year at this venue even though they were competing against Handel at Theatre Royal.

The programme for this concert was Cantata Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan - Pachelbel, Cantata Ich bin vergnugt mit meinem Glucke BWV 84, Sacred concerto Christ ist erstanden - Pachelbel, Canons from the Musical Offering BWV 1079 - Bach and Cantatta Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan BWV 99 - Bach.

The Bach Players are a group of musicians who share a passion for the music of Bach. They play on original instruments and all the vocal music is sung in its original language. Their programmes focus on music from the Baroque period with tonights showing Pachelbel as a predecessor of Bach. With Rachel Elliott - soprano, Sally Bruce-Payne - alto, James Gilchrist - tenor and Matthew Brooke - bass on vocals along with The Bach Players this was always going to be a very interesting evening that I had been looking forward too eagerly.

The music was of the highest quality as you would expect from The Bach Players as they delighted the audience with a programme that they will be releasing on a double CD early next year. Norwich appreciates The Bach Players regular concerts in Norwich as was shown by the support for them on Thursday evening at this beautiful historic venue. This was an intimate night of  music where the audience always felt part of the occasion and the performance.