What the CD Reviewers say
"Nigel Potts is a consummate musician who knows how to communicate the essence of this music."
"Instrument, music, and performer combine to create musical magnificence not to be missed."
(CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
The American Organist, December 2009
"…a young New Zealand organist whose credentials merit respect and whose interpretive talent is obvious…the
gradual decay (in ‘Nimrod’) is superb…an excellent recording." (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
American Record Guide, Nov/Dec 2009
“Howells’s first Rhapsody is given a fine interpretation…as is the performance of Percy Whitlock’s first Fantasie-Choral…perfectly judged and balanced. (Bowen’s) Fantasia…superbly played here.
A strongly recommended CD” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
International Record Review, UK, 2009
“Potts' playing is assured and stylish...” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
Organists' Review, UK, 2009
“…this is one to go out and buy.” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
Friends of Cathedral Music, UK, 2009
“…warm, sympathetic playing from Potts. His account of Whitlock’s first Fantasie-Choral is especially fine…”
Rated **** (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
Choir & Organ, UK, 2009
“Nigel uses its (the large Schoenstein at St. Paul’s Parish in Washington) extensive resources with imagination and taste. He has an intuitive grasp of the grand British style, and one can sense his love for this music in his secure technique and in his idiomatic phrasing and expression.” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, USA, 2009
“…one of the best, most subtle readings of ‘Nimrod’ from Elgar’s Enigma Variations I’ve ever heard. He handles the Schoenstein organ with an admirable blend of authority and aplomb, buttressed by a broad command of tonal color…” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
The New Mexican, USA, 2009
“Nigel Potts exploits its (the Schoenstein organ) potential and masters its tricks with aplomb. The playing is first-rate throughout, with wonderfully assured technique, and a sense of expression which never cloys – neither in the playing itself, registrations, nor the use of the organ’s astoundingly effective Swell boxes. Sheer pleasure for every possible reason, and thoroughly recommended.” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
The Sydney Organ Journal, Australia, 2009
“Nigel Potts has a gift for extracting melody and highlighting the phrase. His use of the expression pedals should be de-rigueur in any organ academy dealing with romantic performance, and his exactitude in exploiting the vast palette of the tonal colour available is commendable. The playing is simply gorgeous.” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
Organ News, New Zealand, 2009
“It is a big, muscular virtuoso piece making demands on the player all of which Potts overcomes with aplomb…this issue is most highly recommended.” (CD: British Fantasies & Fanfares)
Audiophile Audition, 2009
“This is an exciting recording…it is a powerful collection of music by Masonic composers played on a great Scottish Rite (E.M. Skinner) instrument.” (CD: So Mote It Be!)
Scottish Rite Journal, USA, 2004
“Nigel’s recording is simply an aural delight (which includes) his brilliant transcription of the first movement of the Mozart Jupiter Symphony. He mixes the virtuosic with the understated (and his) playing shows not only technical control, but also a sincere dedication to the idiom and to the colors of the instrument.” (CD: So Mote It Be!)
The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, USA, 2004
“Nigel’s registrations are extremely orchestral and the playing is first class. Two of the works have been very successfully transcribed by Nigel.” (CD: So Mote It Be!)
The Sydney Organ Journal, Australia, 2004
“…the Duruflé Scherzo played so lovingly.” (CD: Around the World in 80 Minutes)
The American Organist, 2000
“…clearly inspires the richly talented Nigel Potts to great heights of achievement in his compellingly splendid playing... I have enjoyed this disc very much; it is richly rewarding”. (CD: Around the World in 80 Minutes)
Organists’ Review, UK, 2000
“The playing is excellent throughout as are the choices of registrations. We hear sweeping crescendi, diminuendi and complex, juxtaposed, orchestrally inspired registrations. A very enjoyable CD.” (CD: Around the World in 80 Minutes)
The Sydney Organ Journal, Australia, 2000
What the Concert Presenters and Critics say
"Wonderful performance on Sunday. Nigel is really a terrific performer and a great guy. There was virtually universal acclaim from the audience after his performance for delivering renditions of pieces speaking to the beauty of music melded with the unique qualities of the instrument and touching people's souls with chords of familiar tunes."
Jon J. Danzak, Director, Organ Artists Series of Pittsburgh, PA
“Nigel Potts has a marked affinity for organ performance in the Romantic and orchestrally-inspired idiom. His Delius (‘The Walk to the Paradise Garden’ transcribed by Nigel Potts) performance gave us a very fine example of orchestrally-inspired shading and coloration…very difficult to do successfully on the organ, but highly satisfying in both the refinement of the transcription score and in his realization.”
Professor Thomas Murray, Presenter, Yale University, CT
“An extremely impressive performance given by a gifted musician….the organ (Woolsey Hall, Yale University) was used in the most colorful way possible.”
Professor Martin Jean, Presenter, Yale University, CT
“(A) superb recital here at St Paul's… I thoroughly enjoyed the evening: the amazingly varied palette of colours (he) managed to find on the organ was breathtaking. It was a real treat to hear the (Elgar) Sonata played so sensitively and in its entirety and I loved (the) performance of Nimrod, complete with final diminuendo a niente - I couldn't have indicated where the chord actually ended…”
Dr. Giles Brightwell, Presenter, St. Paul’s Parish, K Street, Washington DC
“It was an absolutely splendid program in every way and from beginning to end...(he is) a real ambassador for the organ and for Whitlock!”
Bruce Neswick, Presenter, Canon Musician, Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta, GA
“It immediately showed Mr. Potts’ amazing ability to learn so many of the intricacies of this complex instrument. His use of registration and expression was a hallmark of his entire performance… Played (Sonata No.1 by Alexandre Guilmant) with fire, accuracy and brilliance, the whole audience rose at its conclusion to give Nigel Potts a standing ovation. We all know that he is on the way to an extraordinary career.”
Glens Falls Post Star, NY
“Nigel’s ability to prepare and perform significantly complex music in a very short time while retaining a commendably relaxed demeanour was nothing short of amazing. (Nigel) won widespread admiration and praise for his performance...Not only was Nigel’s ability as a player outstanding, but his mastery of a new instrument in a very short time frame without losing his sense of humour was a revelation.”
Peter Stockwell, Presenter, Dunedin Town Hall, New Zealand
“Such energy and fire that organ has not seen in some time. The artistry and phrasing, ingenious registrations all come together in both sensitive and exuberant musicianship yielding a wonderful program.”
Thomas White, AGO Presenter, East Hampton, NY
"The superb playing and accompanying on Sunday were highlights for me - his reputation is richly deserved."
Richard Webster, Hymn Festival Guest Conductor
“The playing was beautiful - what a wonderful survey of the organ works of Percy Whitlock and of the treasures of our organ.”
Susan Matthews, Presenter, Principal Organist, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA
“…we heard more from the instrument than I can recall ever hearing from a visiting recitalist. His use of the instrument for the sake of good musicianship was exemplary! … he projects the music instead of himself … This guy is a ‘sleeper’ in our midst.”
Dr. Karl E. Moyer, Presenter, Grace Lutheran Church, Lancaster, PA
“This was a really FUN recital - Nigel played the 1922 Austin very idiomatically - lots of color. I would very happily recommend Nigel Potts to any of you looking for a recitalist. He is a fine player and a charming person.”
John M. Marks, Presenter, Grace & St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Baltimore, MD