The Lunchtime Organ Recital

[Constantbee]

Was privileged to hear Tim Harper (organist at Ripon Cathedral) giving a lunchtime organ concert at the Central Methodist Church in York last week. A lively programme of, yes, TRANSCRIPTIONS, also a collection of modern pieces composed by Philip Wilby especially for Ripon cathedral to mark the restoration of The Ripon Misericords, and a Toccata by Schmidt, of whom I have never previously heard but should have done.

When I told a friend that forumites had criticised Olivier Latry's programme in Prom 21 for containing too many transcriptions he said 'That's a bit like going to see 101 Dalmations and saying there are too many dogs in it'.

And it was free but with a retiring collection, of course. Lunchtime organ recitals in London used to be very poorly attended. I was frequently the only person there. This one, however, attracted an audience of 40 or so. I don't suppose lunchtimes exist in Central London any more It used to be the case that workers didn't have to skip or skimp on lunch hours to increase their weekly hours.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

a Toccata by Schmidt, of whom I have never previously heard but should have done.

Keep up, Cb!

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?20765-Schmidt-symphonies&highlight=Schmidt

... and going further back into the Thread archives:

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?7597-Schmidt-Das-Buch-Mit-Sieben-Siegeln&highlight=Schmidt

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?608-Franz-Schmidt/page2&highlight=Schmidt

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?6845-Dvorak-Chopin-and-Schmidt-Friday-23rd-at-7-30pm&highlight=Schmidt

[ardcarp]

George Thalben Ball in his capacity of Birmingham City Organist (does such a post still exist?) was required to give one lunchtime recital per week on the vast Hill organ in Birmingham Town Hall. It was attended by a smattering of organ aficionados plus a few gentlemen of the road taking the opportunity to keep warm for an hour. GTB played a lot of transcriptions in addition to hardcore organ repertoire. He was a terrific player...but rather in the 'old school' for Bach, as one might expect. One got the impression he was sight-reading quite a lot (e.g. adding a little judicious rubato for page turns). This was free, and I don't recall any collection plates.

[gradus]

Lunchtime concerts remain alive and well in Ipswich although most members of the audience don't have to worry about getting back to work.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Lunchtime concerts remain alive and well in Ipswich although most members of the audience don't have to worry about getting back to work.

Yup - Monday lunchtime organ recitals in Leeds and Huddersfield Town Halls, free of charge 1:05pm onwards. And Leeds City Organist is Darius Battiwalla (although he only does one of the recitals each month - he's doing a work by Philip Wilby [one of the composition tutors at the University for many years] too on 14th October).

https://www.leedsconcertseason.co.uk/media/208019/lics-lunchtime-organ-season-2019-20-a5-8pp.pdf

[Roger Judd]

In answer to Ardcarp's question, the Birmingham City Organist post very much still exists, in the more-than-capable hands and feet of Thomas Trotter, for the passed 36 years. GTB held the post for 34! City finances are such that the recitals are now fortnightly - the audience can always be counted in 100s. Sadly the recitals are no longer free, but the price is modest - £6.00. The Town Hall with its wonderful Hill organ is the usual venue, but several recitals during the year move to Symphony Hall and the Klais instrument that Thomas Trotter designed. Next February 2020 he will play his 800th recital ... respect!
RJ

[ardcarp]

Thanks Roger. I seldom drive up to the smoke these days...but I might one day for old times' sake!