parsfan

From yesterday's Guardian: http://music.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/sto...2267727,00.html

I see that Simon Johnson, from St Albans, succeeds Huw Williams at St Pauls.

News of the rededication recital series on the SPC website: http://www.stpauls.co.uk/page.aspx?theLang...CMyLfqh1Cdosd6a Also the organ page reports that new Tubas are being built for the Dome Division !

Apologies from me also as my punt abt the Truro post led Paul down such a sinful path. I join with Paul in wishing Robert all the best at York. Exciting times ahead for the Minster, I think !

Robert Quinney must be ripe for a DOM post !

I think its woth playing the whole hymn tune suite. It rarely features in recitals these days which is a shame. Both Lumetto and Veni Emmanuel are good. I last heard it played as a suite by John Langdon at Dunfermline Abbey in the early eighties in the prescence of the composer. Recently, at Westminster Cathedral, I heard Oliver Brett and Matthew Martin play KL's duet on 'Martyrs'. An example of KL's ability to create something exciting out of what is austere material.

Does anyone know if Huw Williams is on the move? I have seen an entry on the Organ Recitals website which gives notice of a December recital at SPC and credits Huw as being located in 'Philadelphia, USA'. Does anyone have any updates on how the restoration is progressing. The dome division was not being used at a recent service I attended. I wonder if there is much more to do?

The Germani was the voluntary at the 1100 Sung Eucharist.

Huw William's played FG's 'Tocatta' at St paul's yesterday. i was impressed with this sparking work and it sounded impressive even though the Dome division is out of action at present. Ed

I wasn't surprised at at all. It was such a complete non point to begin with !

Many thanks for keeping us up to date, Nigel. What happened to the Harrison? Ed

I hope DB includes it in his Westminster Abbey recital on 5 Aug. I also look forward to the disc that will accompany the April issue of BBC Music Mag. Vierne 3, Widor 5 and Impros. As for the Sortie I imagine that it will be a piece that M Cocherau would have been proud off !!

Does anyone have an opinion on the Briggs 'Sortie' that concluded the Kings service?

Any news abt how the work at St Paul's is progressing? Has a date been set for completion/re-opening recital?

Of course, in the UK, there is Liverpool and Ely cathedrals and the RAH !

I see that Simon Nieminski, Organist of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh has also been appointed Organist of St Mary's RC Cathedral in the same city. Must be rare one person holding two Cathedral posts. http://www.stmaryscathedral.co.uk/organist.html

Were you at Evensong last night Richard? I enjoyed Phillip Moore's Variations and Fugue on 'East Acklam'. A fine piece that leads you to an even greater appreciation of the qualities of Dr Jackson's tune. And lovely as always to hear the Ivor Atkin's chant that concludes Ps 55. Regards Ed Bowie

I forgot to say in my post that I thought that his rendition of the Durufle 'Alain' Prelude and Fugue was dull.

The size of the audience was par for the course for the RAH recitals. Agree that it was very enjoyable. I went to the Birmingham recital on the preceding Monday so had heard much of the repertoire already that week. The RAH organ illustrated that despite its restoration the Brum instrument sounds bland in comparison. I regret that they have gone for handbells rather than chimes such as the St Gile's, Edinburgh, Rieger. I liked TT's bell pieces at the RAH especially the encore.

What abt the Requiem? The second Movement-Out of the Depths. A bit Howellseque perhaps?

And a wonderful piece it is too ! I have heard it twice recently; once as a Evensong voluntary played by Sarah Baldock at Winchester and in recital, at the Temple Church, by Colin Walsh. In the Labousky biography-has anyone read this?- she explains that JL composed Fete to celebrate both the Liberation of Paris in 1945 and hiis own appointment to St Clothide

Now on the Cathedral website: http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/

Its relentless nature wears you down. I can imagine that Joe Public hearing it as a voluntary in a cathedral would find it particularly trying !

And what a distinquished tenurre it has been. A more than worthy successor to Jackson and Bairstow. A player of the first rank as well and I hope that retirement will allow a few more recitals. Along with Jonathan Bielby, our longest serving Cathedral Organist. JSW and PM have proved to be a marvellous team over the past 25 years. If JSW continues as Assistant, they may go down the Liverpool, Norwich and St Pauls's route and seek a choral specialist.

Odd that those at Bristol around that time are no longer involved in the Cathedral World: Malcolm Archer - Winchester School Christopher Brayne- Church in US Claire Hobbs-Music Therapist