DUO-ORGAN CONCERT with Neil Weston-August 23

What a thrill to play a duo-concert with accomplished organist Neil Weston at Crestview Presbyterian, West Chester on 8-23-18. It was a whirlwind performance as Neil flew from Washington, DC on the morning of the program and we only had a few hours to put the final touches on our chosen program. At our hands were two “guest organs” from Verdin Organ Division, a VERDIN (Eminent) V-26 for Neil and Rodney’s favorite—the mighty CONTENT 236R with EXTRA VOICES!

The day was sunny and warm and the audience of about 250 was ready to hear a great program. Here’s what we played:

I.
Karg-Elert: Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals (Duo)
Purcell, Mouret, Stanley, Charpentier: A Suite of Trumpet Voluntaries (Duo)
Bossi: Scherzo in G Minor (Neil Weston, solo)
Bernstein: Make Your Garden Grow (Rodney Barbour, solo)
JS Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (Duo)

II.
Gigout: Grand Choeur Dialogue (Duo)
Barber: Adagio for Strings (Duo)
Archer: Danny Boy (Neil Weston, solo)
Bernstein: Wrong Note Rag (Rodney Barbour, solo)
Bull: Rondo in G (Duo)
Widor: Adagio and Toccata in F (Duo)

I was able to add the drums and cymbals to the Karg-Elert with the Content Extra Voices. The trumpet tune excerpts are always fun, especially with our different way of playing and combining in our medley. Neil played the Bossi Scherzo beautifully and the audience enjoyed the way it sounded on the Verdin Organ. It’s a bit unfamiliar and was a refreshing addition to the program. Other favorites included the Archer Danny Boy arrangement and the comic insertion of Bernstein’s Wrong Note Rag featuring the piano, clarinet muted trumpet and orchestral strings from the Content Extra Voices.

Neil and I “brought the house down” with the WIDOR TOCCATA as we switched organs about 6 times while playing the piece live! The audience couldn’t believe we pulled this off (and candidly neither could we!)  It was a tremedous evening, getting to play these instruments and getting to perform with Neil Weston. I hope the future will provide additional opportunities!