AN
ADDED dimension was on offer in the latest Organ Prom at the Victoria
Hall on Saturday as both organist and pianist gave superb performances.
It
was a welcome return for Manchester-born brothers Jonathan and Tom Scott
following concerts throughout the country, as well as at venues in Europe,
South America and the Far East.
Their
reputation as one of the world's most accomplished duos was immediately
obvious in their opening piece, Vittorio Monti's Czardas.
Next followed Variations on an Original Theme by Leicester-born Benjamin
Burrows. This was a highlight of the concert, with evocative and beautifully
balanced performances.
In
Finale from Concerto Gregoriano by Pietro Alessandro Yon, once an organist
at the Vatican, the Scott brothers seized the opportunity to demonstrate
their brilliance with both breathtaking speed and accuracy, notably
on the organ's pedal board.
Finally,
and most familiar, was Saint-Saens's The Carnival of the Animals which
was given an animated and powerful performance. Particularly impressive
were Aquarium, with atmospheric interplay between instruments, the entrancing
The Swan, and the dazzling Finale.
Cavalleria
Rusticana provided the stunning encore as once again the qualities of
the Scotts were readily appreciated.