It finally happened!!! My exams are over! And of course the Pedal and Pipes Concert!!! Did anybody else go? Can share about it here too but for those who missed it, here’s what happened on Friday:

Firstly, I have to say that I’m not a real organ maestro but I can tell you what I liked about the concert. I really have to praise the organ pipes. I felt as if I was in one of those surround sound theatres. The music had that much power in it and the range it could play….maybe I’m just not that experienced but throughout the concert, Carol Williams basically tested the power and versatility of the organ by playing traditional organ pieces such as Mozart changes by Zsolt Gardonyi (b. 1946) that started out fast and light, employing one of the smaller pipes of the organ and changing into a much heavier mood later on using the resounding larger pipes of the organ and later going back to a light and fast paced mood. That was one of the more interesting pieces. Of course, she also played traditional pieces like Swinging Bach by Heaps/ Norlin (or as I know it, the Count Dracula piece.. hehe..), that was original written to test the power of a organ. For most of the first part of the show, she played fast, traditional pieces that livened up the mood of the Esplanade Concert Hall. Furthermore, not only were the pieces meant to quicken the pace but her energy in playing these pieces also made it seem like a work out playing the piece. For those of you who went, you would understand what I mean. Her right hand played separately from her left hand which played separately from her right leg that coordinated differently from her left leg. It was a full body workout. No wonder organist are so thin (just kidding!). It was a real eye opener for me, this being my first time watching a live organist in action.

For the second part of the show, she played slower, more jazzier pieces like Fly me to the Moon and Hey Jude and The Washington Post by John Philip Sousa arr. C. Williams, showing the flexibility of the organ in performing other genres of song. It was a truly entertaining night.