The classical sounds of music emerged out of MUSON Centre, Onikan-Lagos in August played by Ibiyefiebo Harry and Babajide Odedeji and delighting the ecstatic audience who applauded their instrument mastery.
For two hours, it was an evening of sheer eclectic classical tunes as Ibiyefiebo Harry and Babajide Odedeji delighted music enthusiasts who had converged at the Agip Recital Hall of the Lagos-based MUSON Centre on August 17 for their organ recital.
Playing pieces of Derek Bourgeois, Johann Sebastian Bach, Christopher Pardini and others, the profound organists set the dialogue for vast classical rhythms and tunes. Ibiyefiebo with the finger locking and pedalling of the organ gave a breathtaking rendition of the Berceuse by Louis Vierne which tested his strength on this complicated musical instrument.
This piece was accompanied with edgy tones and embellishment that culminated to a grand and major ending. Odedeji also showed mastery with his performance. His body language was all he needed to captivate the audience with his racy and slow tempos.
It was amazing to watch his hands and feet work miraculously across four keyboards and the pedal board, showing his dexterous execution of the mechanics of such music.
His performance on the Tocatto and Fugue in D major earned him the greatest applause of the night before he wrapped up with Champion tune. Ibiyefiebo is currently the principal organist at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) and has been privileged to participate in international organ competitions such as the Marcello Galanti International Organ Competition in Modaino Italy in 2008. His penchant for music was honed at an early age of nine under the tutelage of his late father Mr. M.S.D. Harry who was also an organist.
Babajide's journey into the musical world started from the church where he developed a passion for the organ. Popularly known as Aluduru -a Yoruba name for Organist, the businessman has spent 15 years on stage and is widely known for his various reflections and tonal mood he displays with the music instrument. His ability to blend different genres of music into a masterpiece has earned him fame so far. Ms. Obioha is a Lagos-based writer.
National Mirror