Many thanks to the Bermuda chapter of the American Guild of Organists for bringing the talented Herndon Spillman to Bermuda. It was a pleasure to hear his organ recital on Sunday evening. If you didn?t go, you should have.

I have to say, it was a good turnout for an organ concert and it was encouraging to see the support that organ recitals have in Bermuda.

The programme reflected Mr. Spillman?s self-declared ?passion? for the French organ repertoire. Of course, he had to throw in a couple of pieces by Bach. Instead of handing out programme notes, Mr. Spillman talked about each piece, giving a little background information on the composer, the type of composition and some interesting things to listen for.

He opened the concert with the ?Prelude? from Maurice Durufl?s ?Suite pour orgue, Op. 5?, a grand and sombre piece that demonstrates the influence of modality and Gregorian chant in Durufl?s music.

If you didn?t get the chance to hear this on Sunday night, I highly recommend you purchase Mr. Spillman?s recording of Durufl?s complete works on the Titanic label for which he won the ?Grand Prix du Disque? in France.

The following piece on the programme was a ?Benedictus? by Fran?ois Couperin which featured a lovely ?operatic? solo on the Chromorne, a reed stop. The next two pieces were by Bach. The ?Chorale Prelude? was an amusing display of virtuosity and character, the soprano flying around busily on a light flute.

In contrast, the majestic ?Prelude and Fugue in C minor? demonstrated the rich, full sound capable on St. Paul?s organ.

Mr. Spillman then played two pieces by C?sar Franck, the ?Cantabile? and ?Fantasie en la majeur?.

Franck?s music is very eclectic, always shifting moods. Mr. Spillman conveyed this superbly through his choice of registration and tempi.

Daniel-Lessur?s ?In Paradisum? displayed the quieter side of the organ. The soft flutes and the dreamy musical atmosphere created a listener?s ?paradise?.

He closed the recital with ?Choral en la mineur?, also by Franck, a truly exciting piece. If you haven?t heard it, you need to. Words can?t describe some things.