above:  Robin Walker (composer) and Matthew Redman after the recital

Matthew Redman’s lunchtime recital at Wells Cathedral on Thursday 11^thJuly 2019 was filled with upbeat and enjoyable pieces and playing.  Matthew introduced himself in ebullient fashion before launching into Robin Walker’s Carillon.  The composer himself was present (see photo) and this made an assertive and joyful start to the recital.  The pieces that followed were all from the twentieth century by composers as diverse as Jehan Alain and Harold Brittain.  In the Alain dances the rhythmic intricacy was invigorating, and it was good to hear the late Peter Hurford’s Paean which again celebrated the splendid range of colours available on the Wells organ.  Matthew’s knowledge of this organ really paid off and we heard some deliciously unusual sounds.  Great dexterity was shown in the Vierne Impromptu.  Pedal dexterity (!) was also tellingly demonstrated in Brittain’s Variations on I got rhythm– including moments of quadruple pedalling – which ended this recital as it began, in joyous and celebratory form.

Report by Miles Quick