Report by: June Clark

Performer : Michael McAneny -
Instruments :Yamaha EL90 and Yamaha Motif 8 .

Opening our May Concert Show, Michael played Tchaikovski ’ s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz”, follows by a piano solo entitled “Moonglow”.

Great theatre organ sounds for “By A Waterfall” - written some 80 years ago, followed by a Quickstep Medley “I’ ll See You In My Dreams” and “Home in Pasadena”.

Hammond Organ sounds for “Nobody’ s Sweetheart” and “More”, followed by Beethoven ’ s “Bagatelle” in G minor,. Next came a piano solo - arranged by Michael, entitled “Without Saying Goodbye”. On to Scott Joplin ’ s “Autumn Leaves” and “Maple Leaf Rag”.

Big band styles for “Don’ t Blame Me” played twice - the first version played at 90 and again at 130 - which one did we prefer? The faster version! Bach Church Organ rendition of “Prelude” in G minor.

A popular version of “Rudestski March” followed by a lively Quickstep Medley to complete the first half of his show.

Elgar ’ s RAF March past “Nimrod” followed by another melody often heard played at RAF performances.

Rachmaninov ’ s “The Russian Rag”, followed - by request - for the beautiful pipe organ sounds for an untitled finger exercise.

Beethoven ’ s “Fleur Elise”, followed by a piano solo of “Wing Beneath My Wings”.

Michael ’ s rendition of the 1958 version of Monty Sunshine ’ s “Petit Fleur”.

A very special treat this evening - the Late John Holland ’ s composition of “The Birthday Wish”, written especially for Michael ’ s mother ’ s 40 th birthday, followed by “Nola”.

More Quickstep big band sounds - “The Lady Is A Tramp”, followed by piano boogie in the style of Pete Johnson ’ s “Blues on a Down Beat”, the Beatle ’ s “Yesterday” and “Sally”. James Last “Close Your Eyes”, followed by “Misty”.

Scott Joplin ’ s “Black & White Rag”, followed by Hammond sounds of “Wave” and a tango and quickstep combined medley. For Michael ’ s encore, he played a lively, foot tapping rendition of the “Bluebell Polka”.

Aged 28, Michael is a credit to our young professional circuit organists and pianists. Judging by the response of our members, he played something for everyone and we very much appreciated his youth, talent and personality . We look forward to welcoming him back in the not too distant future

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