Diane Bish & Simon Preston Take Us Back to the Movies With a Thrilling Organ Duet of the “E.T.” Toccata
Diane Bish & Simon Preston Take Us Back to the Movies With a Thrilling Organ Duet of the “E.T.” Toccata
On a quiet evening inside Florida’s majestic Coral Ridge Church, an extraordinary performance unfolded—one destined to resonate far beyond the stained-glass windows. Diane Bish and Simon Preston, both masterful organists, offered listeners a journey back to the magic of the movies with a spine-tingling rendition of the Toccata from Symphony No. 5, crafted by the legendary John Williams for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
From the moment their fingers touched the keys, Bish’s expressive grace and Preston’s luminous precision transformed the sacred space into an otherworldly soundscape. Each resonance echoed the thrill of childhood wonder and the ache of longing—reminding us why Williams’ theme has become as iconic as the silver screen itself.
The performance didn’t follow a program; it breathed. With each powerful crescendo and ornate flourish, the two artists reminded us how the organ—often reserved for hymns and solemn passages—can channel fantasy and cinema like no other instrument.
By the final chord, the silence held itself, as if waiting. Then came the applause—gentle yet soaring, granting these guardians of film music a tribute Williams himself would surely embrace.
