Clive Driskill-Smith in Concert February 20, 2011

On Sunday, February 20, 2011, at 4 PM the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church together with the Potomac Chapter of the AGO presented Clive Driskill-Smith in concert.

This is the 1975 instrument by Reiger of Austria, three manuals and 50 ranks.

The Ruckpositiv was redesigned in 2000 by David Storey, changing it to be smaller in profile and oak to match the chancel furnishings. When not used for concerts, the division is fronted by grille work.

Here is another picture of the Ruckpositiv, which better shows the new 4' Principal facade pipes.

Here the crowd awaits the program. Mr. Driskill-Smith played:

Two movements from the Sonata in A by Mendelssohn

Organ Concerto in F Major by Handel

Fantasia in F Minor, Mozart

Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, J.S. Bach

Salamanca, Guy Bovet

Variations on a Noel, Dupre

I enjoyed the Salamanca because it was totally new to me. It was explained that Bovet was to improvise at a concert in Salamanca Spain, and the tune was given by two members of the cleaning crew, who sang a song in Spanish about a donkey. He wove this tune throughout his improvisation and later wrote it all out.

Interior of the Positiv, showing the creative use of all available space
View from the opposite side
Console
Closer view of the console; push button stop action.
Following the concert: John Brooks, Dean of the Potomac Chapter, AGO; Clive Driskill Smith; Julie Evans, Director of Music of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church; Len Ralston, Chair, Chevy Chase Concerts Committee.

Gerald Piercey
Editor, Heel & Toe