Wednesday’s recital by guest organist J. Neal Biggers at Ajijic’s San Andrés Church was extremely well supported, as was the request for food contributions and/or donations in aid of the Villa Infantil Orphanage, which is entirely dependent on such private support.
Biggers is Director of Liturgy and Music at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Henderson, Kentucky, where he played this same concert for Villa Infantil in January. He generously suggested the San Andrés performance to Fr. Basil G. Royston, when visiting Ajijic in 2014.
San Andrés is a magnificent building. Recently sensitively redecorated, it radiates an innate sense of peace and tranquility, from its burnt-umber colored marble floors and traditional ornamentation to the glittering gold-accented walls and pillars.
The recital opened with the “Overture from the Music for the Royal Fireworks,” then Fr. Basil welcomed the large congregation and introduced Biggers and Patteye Simpson.
When Simpson sang “The Lord’s Prayer,” by Malotte, her beautiful mezzo-soprano voice soared high into the into the domed roof, then swirled, reverberating, throughout the building. It was exquisite.
After Biggers introduced the program, he played Bach’s “Prelude in G Major,” followed by the Pachelbel “Fugue in C Major” with its 57 repetitions. Estrada’s “Procesión Y Saeta” and Cabezón’s “Dic nobis, Maria,” followed.
Accompanied by Biggers, Juan Navarro’s rendition of Schubert’s “Ave Maria” was unforgettable and again, the acoustics in the church enhanced the experience.
The organ’s imitations of birdcalls in Messiaen’s “Chants d’Oiseaux” and the cuckoo in “Le Coucou” by Daquin were fun and introduced a lighter mood, as did the traditional-style “La Bamba” by Ramón Noble.
Simpson sang Dungan’s “Eternal Life,” St. Francis of Assisi’s prayer, so movingly that I was not the only one surreptitiously wiping my eyes.
Biggers let rip with Widor’s “Toccata from Symphony No. 5” Op. 42/1, showcasing the organ’s impressive range, which was obviously thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Two encores followed: Navarro’s “Ojos tristes” by Aguilar and Cardenas, and Simpson’s “When You Walk Through a Storm” by Rodgers & Hammerstein, which generated another standing ovation. It was a superb recital and Biggers’ skillful musicianship did Ajijic proud.