IT HAS been several years since I last listened to an organ recital but this performance of J S Bach’s Orgelbüchlein seemed just the right thing to draw me back.

It was given by James Lancelot, master of the choristers and organist of Durham Cathedral since 1985, who last performed these pieces 28 years ago.

With free and helpful programme notes and a brief introduction both immediately before the recital and before each group, this felt like a guided tour with Lancelot as the expert pointing out the signposts and highlights to enable you to make the most of your journey.

This Little Organ Book of 45 choral preludes is a model for all organists, demonstrating the diverse ways to perform any chorale; they are often complex and interweaving with up to four different musical lines, but all intended to enhance the chorale.

I particularly appreciated being able to sit in the quire stalls virtually surrounded by the organ pipes where I could fully appreciate the wide range of sounds.

The range was enormous with my notes describing a bright, piping sound followed by another that was deep and grand, then a relatively simple and moving piece followed by something multi-layered.

Other pieces were grand, imperious, jaunty, thundering and ominous as well as simply gentle and appealing and the whole cycle ended with one of the most reflective.

The cathedral’s organ recital series continues on Wednesday, September 9, with David Ratnanayagam and Wednesday, October 14, with Jeremy Filsell; details at durhamcathedral.co.uk but simply pay at the door.

Peter Bevan