Finlay and Angus Donohoe

Angus and Finlay Donohoe are two musically gifted brothers whose enthusiasm for music has shone from a young age.

Their journey with the organ began early; Angus started at age ten, with Finlay following closely behind at aged eight. Since 2023, they have studied under the tutelage of Dr Roger Williams, who has championed their solo repertoire and guided their performances, including concerts at St Machar’s Cathedral in 2024 and 2025.

In September 2025, both brothers also performed a special organ recital at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum as part of the Glasgow 850 celebrations: a dynamic milestone in their artistic growth. Under Dr Williams' guidance, both have flourished, recently achieving ABRSM Grade VIII Organ with Distinction.

Today Finlay and Angus are thrilled to share their love of music with you. Their performance is an expression of youthful artistry, dedication, and the sheer joy of music. We hope you enjoy their musical journey as much as they enjoy performing it.

Programme Notes

Today’s programme presents music from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. It opens with one of J.S.Bach’s sunniest and most demanding organ compositions. In the Italianate Prelude, particular attention is paid to the pedals as well as virtuoso flourishes taken from the world of the solo violin.  The fugue is written on an apparently unassuming subject, based on the dominant and tonic notes of the key – but as with many of Bach’s fugues, this one develops considerable complexity, culminating in the final section with an exciting stretto. 

Felix Mendelssohn was an avid scholar of Bach’s organ works whose works he was the first to champion. However, this delightfully melodic movement owes more to the early romantic period in its gently moving accompaniments set against beautifully expressive melody.

The Toccata by the Danish composer and pianist Einar Traerup Sark, is a virtuoso piece, demanding neat finger-work, athletic pedals, and considerable dexterity over handling the organ.

Richard Proulx was an American composer also active as a church musician, editing many collections of hymns and anthems. He was based in Chicago, and perhaps a little of the ‘pizazz’ of that city is reflected in the excitement of the frequently changing time-values in this challenging piece.

The prolific German composer Sigfrid Karg-Elert, wrote nearly all his music for the organ. This Marche Triomphale, Colin Harvey suggests, was intended to have been given its first performance in Westminster Abbey, as part of the celebrations, when the Germans had won the First World War Whatever the intended circumstances, this is a justifiably popular piece, and in its weaving and thorough absorption of the Chorale, after which the piece is named, it shows utter compositional mastery.  Its demands on the player are considerable, and in its ternary form, it is designed to demonstrate the range of the player and the power of the instrument.