GERARD GILLEN'S hour long, tea time programme of Bach organ music at the NCH, last Friday, gave an impression of steering a middle course.

Tempos were mostly kept away from extremes, and when, as in the busy outer movements, of the closing Concerto in G, BWV 592, a sprinty pace was initially set, forward movement of a greater sobriety was soon to reassert its hold.

The quite elaborate ornamentation available for the Fantasia in C, BWV 562, was eschewed in favour of simpler outlines, and in general the feeling generated was of a performer unfussily delivering music which can be trusted to make its point without any special pleading.

The programme also included the first two chorale preludes from the set once known as "The Eighteen", a handful from the Orgelbuchlein, and the Trio Sonata in D, all handled with worthy solidity in readings which focused attention with rewarding firmness on the music rather than the player.