Christopher Herrick

Music at Ripon Cathedral

A Purcell Organ Album,
arranged by Martin Setchell

Kate dispatching books

Coming up...

1. Fireworks ahead!

Christopher Herrick, he of the Fireworks recording fame, and remembered by Christchurch audiences particularly for the spectacular performances he gave when the Rieger was inaugurated in 1997, will be along once again to sparkle and enthrall at the Christchurch Town Hall on Sunday, August 2nd. Do note the earlier starting time of 2.30pm, and bring a chum. Make that chums. Hire a bus, bring a village!

This concert is part of the 2009 Christchurch Arts Festival. The usual arrangements apply: book through Ticketek. Admission prices are $19 for adults (members of the Friends – with membership cards - $15 each) or students – with ID - $5. (A Ticketek transaction fee applies.) A special souvenir glossy colour programme will be on sale for $3 – please bring change if possible!

2. Farewell England, guten Tag Germany

Town Hall organist Martin Setchell is meanwhile packing and unpacking bags in quick succession on his concert tour of the UK and Europe. With Coventry, Oxford, York Methodist Central, Leicester Cathedral and Bridlington Priory behind him, it's time to catch the great green budgie and hoppit to Trier for Wednesday July 29th, the first of 7 concerts on in Germany, and others in Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy. See his schedule and concert venues on his website at www.organist.co.nz

3. Other bits n' bats
Mark your diaries now for next year’s four Sunday concerts: 21 March (Thomas Trotter – Birmingham Town Hall); 8 August (Gordon Stewart – Huddersfield Town Hall), 19 September (Carlo Curley) and 14 November (Martin Setchell and guest artist ). This will be an exciting year for all organ lovers.

And some great news. As a result of a very generous bequest from the estate of Frank Partridge, proposals are currently being considered for an upgrade of the Rieger. Provided the Town Hall authorities agree to the proposals, work should commence early in 2011. More details about this next time.

3. Meanwhile, back at the website...

Philip Bailey has been immersed in a tome about music at Ripon Cathedral which gives such an insight into the running and development of provincial cathedral music. Read his review here . Coincidentally, one of the characterful previous organists at Ripon is also the subject of this month's Musings and Amusings column by David Bridgeman-Sutton. Philip Marshall inspired affection, awe and respect, and in the first of two articles on 20th Century organists, David stirs memories of this humble but first-rate musician.

4. Purcell Organ Album

In between planning concerts, lecturing, mowing the lawn and nail-biting sessions at the cricket, Martin has been busy arranging music by Henry Purcell for his volume "A Purcell Organ Album", just released by Oxford University Press. They write: "This volume brings together all those must-have pieces - the trumpet tunes, rondeau from Abdelazer, and so on - and combines these with a wonderful selection of lesser-known pieces from across Purcell's work. There are sprightly curtain tunes and hornpipes from the stage pieces, lovely reflective songs and airs, and a wide range of dances and chaconnes. The result is a set of pieces with wide and varied church and concert use, perfectly accessible to intermediate players. Publication in 2009 coincides with the 350th anniversary of the composer's birth, and the volume makes a valuable addition to any organist's repertoire."
So there you go. Order and more information can be found on their website here

5. Organ-isms are spreading

Those who have read the kindly reviews of "Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments" in various anorak mags such as Choir and Organ, The Diapason, The Organ and The Fly Fisherman's Weekly (just kidding) will not be surprised to learn we are now going into the second printing in the UK and the third printing in New Zealand. With practice, the kitties have improved their dispatching skills and usually refrain from using the boxes of bubble wrap as an indoors gymnastic centre (see photo, left). The book is now also available through any of the 50 UK branches of Blackwell Bookshops. For the closest outlet to you, search this page on the Pipeline Press website (And I was kidding about anoraks too.)

6. Just one quick link

No time left for any competitions this month nor for any scintillating website links (apart from this surprise short one that explains why e-mail was invented).

Next time, a competition, more links, more news, and more reasons than ever before to hit the delete button. . .

with optimistic noises from Jenny and the crew.