Douglas DeForeest at Church of the Incarnation

A BIT OF GRACE IN SANTA ROSA

The June 11 evening recital by organist Douglas DeForeest at the Church of the Incarnation in Santa Rosa featured six meditative selections from the compositions of Richard Purvis (1913-1994), the organist of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco from 1947 to 1971.

DeForeest, dean of the Redwood Empire Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, performed these romantic compositions sensitively, contrasting the sonorous solo stops of the church’s French Canadian Casavant organ with lush accompaniments and modest full choruses. The organ’s tonal specifications were well suited to these compositions, which DeForeest had personally studied under the composer, who was also his organ teacher.

Beginning with “Idyl,” reminiscent of the radio and theatre organ playing of Gaylord Carter, there followed the “Voluntary on Greensleeves” from Four Carol Preludes (1944). Then came the “Adoration” from Four Prayers in Tone (1950), based on the ancient hymn “Adoro devote,” followed by “Brigg Fayre” from Folk Tone Poems for the Organ (1968) and the Lento from the “Partita on Christ ist Erstanden(1951). The program ended with the rocking “bombs away” Fanfare from A Trio of Contrasts (1964). All the pieces were satisfying and masterfully performed.