ress Reviews

Review: Sebastian Giebenrath, Jan 2009

The British master Gerard Brooks gave a pleasingly well attended concert, showing outstandingly mastery of manual and pedals, and rich artistry in a programme of colourful music making. Particularly notable was his feel for musical rubato, and his dramatic use of tension and suspense to create great intensity.

We have to admire the subtlety with which he wove the complex, rhythmic and romantic uniqueness of French organ music into a glorious musical carpet; from the orientally inspired, delicate 'Reverie du Soir' by Saint-Saëns and his colourful and carefully-paced Fantaisie in C, to the sparkling 'Rhapsodie sur des Noëls' by Gigout and the spirited and dynamic finale to Guilmant's First Sonata, Gerard Brooks always knew how to get the most out of the registers of the organ.

Press Reviews