Evening Herald 2010

There was his natural delivery and highly-accomplished piano playing, from Debussy and John Ireland to a Bill Evans jazz standard.

There’s invariably something special about concerts at Plymouth’s Emmanuel Church, with their wide variety of musical styles, and warm, welcoming atmosphere.

But the jewel in the crown must surely be their use of multimedia technology, where close-up video shots of the artists, punctuated by tastefully chosen slides, are projected onto a big screen. It really brings everything to life so dramatically.

Jonathan Delbridge fitted the bill to perfection. There was his natural delivery and highly-accomplished piano playing, from Debussy and John Ireland to a Bill Evans jazz standard.

Swapping the piano stool for the organ bench, he put the church’s fine instrument through its paces, with a not overlong, but highly appropriate selection, culminating in an exciting performance of Widor’s Toccata.

It was all designed to show off the organ’s best features, and the chance to watch Jonathan’s nimble footwork up close on the big screen was an added bonus.

Soprano, Bianca Phillips, provided the ideal vocal complement, equally at home in Franck’s Panis Angelicus, numbers from Carousel and some delightful jazz items, which all confirmed the clear musical empathy between these two talented and most personable young artists.

And with Britten’s Tell me the Truth about Love, an intriguing take on Jabberwocky by American art-song composer, Lee Hoiby, and Sesame Street’s Rubber Ducky, this was a most enjoyable evening’s entertainment in which the now-legendary interval refreshments not surprisingly played their part, too.

Philip R Buttall

Cornish Times Letters Page

Amazingly Talented

“Cancer Research UK recently held a charity concert at Riverside Church, West Looe, a concert with music for piano and organ, presented by an amazingly talented young man named Jonathan Delbridge.

It was entertainment at its finest, the audience were mesmerised.

Jonathan played a variety of music and at the conclusion the audience clapped vigorously for an encore.

He invited participation by asking for a song that he could improvise and Over the Rainbow was suggested.

Over the Rainbow played on a digital organ, what can I say, it was just incredible. If stating that Jonathan made that organ sing is not politically correct, then being perfectly honest, I do not really care. He was that evening, and is, a pure genius.”

“Meticulous playing, and an understanding of all 18 pieces performed, earned warm applause from the audience of over 100.”

Western Morning News

Magical Evening at St Petroc’s Church, Bodmin

“An audience of over 100 sat silent and spellbound as Jonathan interpreted the music with passion and touch. The appreciation of the audience at the end of each piece was loud and long.”