The First and the Last. On the 8th May the First Recital in the Cathedral’s Summer Series was destined to be the Last Recital of Alex Mason before his departure to become Organist and Master of the Choristers and Artistic Director of St David’s Cathedral Festival. 

Alex’s programme opened with Imperial March by Sir Edward Elgar whose birth 150 years ago is celebrated this year.  This demonstrated the full power and majesty of the organ including the solo tuba - a satisfying start to the Recital.

From Elgar to the Bach Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor. The opening theme on the pedal organ preceded some twenty variations before the fugue which followed. Here the initial slightly muted pedal passage gradually increased in volume and registration with quieter stops on the Swell and the inclusion of higher-pitched stops on the Choir manual. An intriguing dialogue between contrasting flute voices lead after the final variation to the Fugue where at its climax exciting pedal parts culminated in a fascinating ending. It was a joy to watch the dexterity and agility of the Recitalists hands and feet via the excellent CCTV screen.

Max Reger’s Fantasie uber den Choral "Wie schon leucht uns der Morgenstern" demanded great expertise  - not to mention stamina on the part of the player - the theme was familiar to many as the chorale "How brightly shines the morning star". Like the Bach Passacaglia the fantasia comprised a splendidly robust introduction developing into four variations before the fugal ending. Here Alex displayed varied and colourful registrations. The theme following the introduction brought in a solo voice with a Voix Célestes and string-like accompaniment with barely discernable muted pedal-work. It was full of contrasts from ethereal sounds to a reinstatement of the opening theme on the pedals prior to a glorious conclusion with the tuba playing its prominent and unmistakable part.

Alex has acquired an enviable reputation as an improviser and his Variations on Torches which he was commissioned to write for the Birmingham Bach Choir displayed his versatility. The Variations are based on the Carol Torches of John Joubert From the solo reed introducing the theme  to a scherzo, an adagio and then, wait for it, a rumba! From soft voices on the pedals, to multiple tonal effects on the manuals to the exciting foot-tapping rhythm of the rumba these Variations had everything. To judge by the applause I am not alone in saying this. In absolute contrast, Trois preludes by Claude Debussy formed the penultimate work in the programme before a final Improvisation by Alex on two themes suggested from the audience - Baa Baa Blacksheep and Match of the Day which brought his recital to an exciting conclusion.