Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

It is generally true that reviews tell us as much about the reviewer as they do the item under review and this will be no exception. My wife's favourite composer is Sir Edward Elgar and I have come to appreciate him myself whereas the other featured composer, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, remains familiar to me only through his choral work. It is Elgar who opens and closes this recital and it is Elgar who I remember as I write this review. The works by Elgar are his "Organ Sonata op 28" and "Pomp And Circumstance March no 4, op 39". The filling in between these two outstanding pieces comes from Stanford: "Fantasia And Toccata, op 57" and "Six Short Preludes And Postludes, set 2, op 105". Stanford gives us something quiet and contemplative whereas Elgar gives us the works and it is thus inevitable that it is the Elgar that stays longer in the memory. Stanford's contributions will grow on me over time and I enjoyed them sufficiently to want to return to them. Christopher Stokes, organist and master of the choristers of Manchester Cathedral is an able interpreter of both composers.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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