Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Patrick D. McCoy: 'In capable hands: Organist gives new perspective to Kennedy Center instrument'

[Mickey Thomas Terry]

Patrick McCoy
DC Performing Arts Examiner
May 11th, 2011 4:30 pm ET
“The organ recital by Dr. Mickey Thomas Terry seemed to have the instrument on prime display. Presented as a part of the Millennium Stage Concerts at the Kennedy Center. Dr. Terry presented a program of works by Charles Tournemire, George Walker, Marcel Dupre, J. S. Bach, Horatio Parker, Thomas H. Kerr and Franz Liszt. Tournemire's "Victimae paschali" from Cinq Choral Improvisations opened the recital. Terry executed the magnificent showpiece with lightening fast passagework, making use of the organ's reed stops. In addition, the work allowed Terry to utilize the warm strings in the contrasting soft sections. Returning with a restatement of the original theme marked by fierce pedal work, the Tournemire provided the perfect opening to a diverse offering of organ music.

"An advocate of concert works written for the organ by composers of African descent, Terry included two substantial compositions; Chorale Prelude on "Liebster Jesu, Wir sind hier" from Three Pieces for Organ by Pulitzer Prize winning composer, George Walker and "Reverie for Celestes" from the Suite Sebastienne by Thomas H. Kerr, who taught for many years at Howard University. In both selections, the registrations of implored by Terry again highlighted the lush nuances of the string stops. The Walker work was remarkably lovely, reminicent of a Bach trio sonata, yet original in harmonic texture.” [George Walker (b. 1922) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]

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