On October 31, 2009, James Welch presented his 17th annual Halloween recital at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Palo Alto, California. In addition to solo organ music, this year's recital, entitled "Masterpieces from a Gothic Cathedral," featured the seldom-heard "Toccata in D minor for Organ and Chainsaw," arranged by Lynda Alexander. Greg Osborn, a friend of James Welch's, brought his Stihl chainsaw, and after "tuning" to the organ, they proceeded to present the duet. Another novelty piece was "Nocturne for an Orange," by late Hammond organ wizard Porter Heaps. Written in the key of G-flat, the melody is played by rolling an orange up and down the black keys!
Also on the program were "Pageant Triumphal" (1928) by Gordon Balch Nevin; "Will o' the Wisp" (1932) by Roland Diggle; four movements of Vierne's 1st Symphony (Prélude, Pastorale, Allegro Vivace, Final); "Fantasia pour le verset Judex Crederis au Te Deum" by Alexandre Boëly; "Toccata alla Rumba" (1971) by Peter Planyavsky; and "Scherzetto" from Lyric Symphony (2009) by Rulon Christiansen.
November 5, 2009
J. Welch
