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The Organ Podcast — Music
The Organ Podcast

The Organ Podcast is a fortnightly show designed to inform and entertain organists and organ enthusiasts alike, including those who are simply curious and want to know more about this unique instrument and its music.

Episodes will feature interviews with leading UK and international organists, visit historic or little-known organs of interest, catch-up with organ rebuilds and restorations, and encounter a diverse mix of pipe organ related activities, news, discussions and initiatives from around the UK.

Presented by Mark O’Brien

Copyright: © 2024 The Organ Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 19 - Completing Bach's Orgelbüchlein with William Whitehead & Rediscovering Victorian organs with Tom Bell Nov 01, 2024

William Whitehead talks about his major international project aimed at completing Bach's Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book) - The Orgelbüchlein Project. With 118 missing chorale preludes, where only the chorale titles have been penned by Bach, William plays examples of the newly finished compositions which he has commissioned from leading composers all over the world.
Orgelbüchlein Volumes & Scores
William Whitehead
Tom Bells reveals his passion for English Victorian organs as he demonstrates the art of registering 19th century repertoire on the historic 1864 Henry Willis organ at Reading Town Hall.
Henry Willis Organ at Reading Town Hall
Organ specification (NPOR)
Tom Bell
Get in touch with the Organ Podcast theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 18 - The Organ Reform Movement - what was it all about? Ben Bloor reflects on the pros and cons of using social media to promote the organ and engage with audiences Oct 15, 2024

William McVicker talks about the impact and legacy of one of the most significant revolutions in organ design - the Organ Reform Movement. Explaining the historical context out of which the movement grew (lead by German polymath and organist, Albert Schweitzer), William demonstrates the musical results at the console of a 1968 German-inspired reform organ at the church of Our Lady of Dolours, in London.
William McVicker
Organ of Our Lady of Dolours (NPOR)
Ben Bloor, Organist at the London Oratory, shares his experience of using social media platforms to engage with audiences and promote organ music. With over 350 videos on YouTube, an organ podcast, and a variety of short-form videos, Ben reflects on how the growing trend of organists uploading their content to social media platforms can have a wider cultural impact in changing attitudes towards performers and repertoire.
Ben Bloor
Ben's YouTube channel
Get in touch with the Organ Podcast theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 17 - Liverpool Cathedral's new Echo division with Ian Tracey - St Paul's Cathedral's Organ Education Lead Jeremiah Stephenson on how to encourage children to engage with the organ Oct 01, 2024

In this episode Ian Tracey, Organist of Liverpool Cathedral, demonstrates the newly installed Echo organ and showcases the extraordinary sounds and power of the UK's largest pipe organ. With a total of ten divisions, located in organ cases around the cathedral, this new echo organ completes the tonal design of the organ, which began in 1923 under the craftsmanship of Henry Willis III, and the cathedral's first organist, Harry Goss-Custard.
Liverpool Cathedral Organ
Specification
Jeremiah Stephenson, Organ Education Lead at St Paul's Cathedral, talks about his work devising events and workshops designed to introduce children to the organ. Challenging traditionally held attitudes, he explains how he presents the organ as a gateway to engage children in the wider appreciation of classical music and performance.
Jeremiahstephenson.com
Get in touch with the Organ Podcast theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 16 - Manchester Cathedral’s Tickell Organ - New discoveries in Cesar Franck’s music Sep 15, 2024

In this episode, Richard Brasier talks about some of the startling discoveries he made whilst researching for his new edition of the organ and harmonium works of Cesar Franck. He also plays an unpublished work by Franck for the first time. After five years' work, having studied previously lost manuscripts, Richard explains the approach to registration and performance based on historic evidence and the organs Franck played.
https://richardbrasier.com/education/cesar-franck/
Christopher Stokes, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Manchester Cathedral, talks about his design and planning of the Tickell organ that was installed in the cathedral in 2016. Demonstrating some of the sounds and colours of the new instrument, Chris explains how a cathedral organ designed principally for repertoire will then naturally be able to excel in accompanying the choir.
https://manchestercathedral.org/worship/cathedral-organs
https://npor.org.uk/survey/H01013
Get in touch! theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 15 - A tour of Harrison & Harrison's workshop with Head Voicer Andy Scott - Katelyn Emerson talks about her concert career and musical approach to the organ Sep 01, 2024

In this episode, Harrison & Harrison Head Voicer and Managing Director, Andy Scott, takes Mark O'Brien on a tour round the workshop in Durham to highlight the importance of apprenticeships in sustaining the skill and craft of organ building. Andy also talks about his experience at Harrison's, having started as an apprentice himself, aged 16, before becoming London Tuner, Head Voicer and Managing Director.
Harrison & Harrison
International concert organist, Katelyn Emerson, talks about her rise to success on the concert platform and how she often looks to the cultural and geographical backgrounds of pipe organs to inform her interpretation. Currently dividing her time between performing and taking a PhD at Cambridge University, she explains how her analytical approach to music and performance informs her playing and teaching.
Katelyn Emerson
Email the Organ Podcast: theorganpodcast@rco.uk.org

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 14 - Music therapy and the pipe organ - The organ at the West London Synagogue Aug 15, 2024

In this episode, Mark O'Brien visits the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, where the recent restoration of a 1938 Robert Spurden Rutt pipe organ has opened the door to the instrument being used for therapeutic purposes and wellbeing. Mark talks to a Consultant Neurologist about the therapeutic qualities of music and the possible use of the hospital pipe organ - and hears the organ being used by Christopher Batchelor, a former managing director of Harrison and Harrison, who is an out-patient at the National Hospital being treated for Parkinson's.
https://www.nationalbrainappeal.org/giving-back-through-music/

https://npor.org.uk/survey/N18315

Richard Hills, Director of Music at the West London Synagogue, demonstrates the synagogue's four manual Harrison and Harrison organ, and explains its role in accompanying the liturgy for the Shabbat services. He talks about how this organ has played an important role in assimilating and creating a British musical and choral sound-world that is distinctive to the West London Synagogue.

Music at the West London Synagogue
https://npor.org.uk/survey/A01141
Email the Organ Podcast: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 13 - Pipe Organ Rescue with Martin Renshaw and Pipe-up - Katherine Dienes Williams on pressures facing cathedral organists Aug 01, 2024

In this Episode, Mark O'Brien joins Martin Renshaw, from the organ charity, Pipe-up for Pipe Organs, as he and a team of volunteers remove an organ from a closed-down Baptist chapel in Hertfordshire. Mark also has a look around Martin's warehouse, where several historic organs are lying in storage, waiting for a new home in the UK - or about to be transported to Europe.
Pipe Up for Pipe Organs
Katherine Dienes Williams talks about her role as President of the Cathedral Organists' Association and reveals some of the concerns expressed by cathedral organists to the increasing demands of their job. She also shares her experience of being the first female Organist and Master of the Choristers in a Church of England Cathedral.
Katherine Dienes Williams
Email the Organ Podcast: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 12 - BBC Radio 3's Choral Evensong at King's College Cambridge - Gordon Stewart demonstrates the J J Binns organ at Rochdale Town Hall Jul 14, 2024

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of a live broadcast of BBC Radio 3's Choral Evensong from the chapel of King's College, Cambridge. We hear from the programme's Producer and Sound Supervisor, as well as from the Director of Music at King's - Daniel Hyde.
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
BBC Sounds - Choral Evensong
Gordon Stewart demonstrates the famous J J Binns (1855 - 1928) organ at Rochdale Town Hall. Showcasing the distinctive Binns sound and tonal design, Gordon explains the background to the great town hall organ tradition in the North of England.
Gordon Stewart - Concert Organist
Rochdale Town Hall
Organ Specification - NPOR
Email the Organ Podcast: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 11 - York Minster's Organ - RCO in State Schools - Wayne Marshall's Musical Life Jun 30, 2024

In this episode, Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster, gives a tour of the sounds and colours of the organ at York Minster. Following the major restoration undertaken by Harrison & Harrison from 2018 - 2021, Robert explains why they looked back to the golden era of Arthur Harrison and Sir Edward Bairstow for their tonal inspiration, and demonstrates the astonishing results that have been achieved.
York Minster Organ Specification
York Minster Summer Organ Recitals 2024
We hear how school children are benefiting from an RCO initiative of loaning Viscount digital organs to state schools, with the aim of allowing children of all backgrounds to see, hear and play an organ.
RCO Organs in Schools
Wayne Marshall OBE, organ virtuoso, pianist and conductor, talks about his path to the organ and his extraordinary musical life that sees him celebrated all over the world for his interpretations of Gershwin, Bernstein and other 20th Century composers.
Wayne Marshall
Email the Organ Podcast: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 10 - Anna Lapwood - Abandoned Monastery Organ - Crisis in Scotland Jun 14, 2024

In this episode, Mark O'Brien is joined by organ builder David Wood as they engage in some organ archaeology whilst exploring an abandoned organ in an old monastery chapel in Staffordshire.
https://www.woodofhuddersfield.com/
https://npor.org.uk/survey/D02316
A crisis is facing the pipe organ in Scotland as hundreds of churches are earmarked for closure. We talk to Chris Bragg, from Sowne of Organe, who is leading a team campaigning to save many of Scotland's most historic organs by highlighting the value of their cultural and social heritage.
https://sowneoforgane.com/
Anna Lapwood reflects on her rise to fame and the role social media plays in introducing the organ to new audiences. She explains why playing film music has made her fall in love with the organ all over again, and how she deals with criticism and prejudice.
https://annalapwood.co.uk/
Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and do get in touch at: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 9 - The Wurlitzer at Blackpool Tower - Liverpool's St George's Hall Willis Organ - Discovering 17th Century Composer, John Lugge May 28, 2024

In this episode Phil Kelsall, organist at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, showcases the world famous Wurlitzer organ - and his own world famous playing technique!
https://www.philkelsall.co.uk/
Ian Tracey talks about the history of the Henry Willis organ at Liverpool's St George's Hall. As a new appeal has been launched to help raise fund for its restoration, Ian demonstrates some of the distinctive Willis sounds, and some of the areas in desperate need of repair.
https://www.stgeorgeshallliverpool.co.uk/events/st-georges-hall-organ-recitals/
William Whitehead shares his passion for the music of John Lugge (1580 -1655), a little known composer from the West Country, who navigated the often dangerous world of religious tension to develop one of the earliest forms of the English voluntary.
https://www.william-whitehead.com/
Get in touch with The Organ Podcast: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 8 - Richard McVeigh reflects on his YouTube success - William McVicker on the difficulties of organ advising - Anne Marsden Thomas looks back on her teaching career and challenges for women organists May 14, 2024

In this episode, Hauptwerk genius and YouTube star, Richard McVeigh talks about the rise of his channel 'Beauty in Sound' as a platform to live-stream hymns to a global audience, as well as recording some of the UK's finest pipe organs and organists.
https://www.youtube.com/@beautyinsound/videos
William McVicker gives a glimpse into his role as one of the country's leading pipe organ consultants. Whilst working on an historic organ in Southeast London he explains how organ advisors need to carefully balance the historical integrity of an organ with the musical demands of the organist and church.
https://www.aioa.org.uk/advisers/mcVicker.php
Anne Marsden Thomas MBE reveals how her poor introduction to the organ inspired her to become one of the UK's most successful and influential teachers of the instrument. With a career spanning more than 40 years, she continues to inspire students, young and old, as well as being a pioneering figure to promote the roles of women in the organ world.
Get in touch at: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 7 - David Briggs on his role at the Cathedral of St John the Divine, New York, improvising and his transcriptions - Daniel Moult talks about the new organs for the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Apr 30, 2024

In this episode, Daniel Moult, Head of Organ at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, demonstrates how a series of new, historically inspired organs that he's commissioned, will transform the musicianship of his students, not just from an authentic approach to early music but across the board in organ playing technique. He also talks about the career and musical aspirations of young organ students today.
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/music/departments/keyboard/organ

http://www.danielmoult.com/

One of the world's leading organists and improvisors, David Briggs, talks about his role as Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York and the 'American sound'. He gives an insight into the art of improvising and how his own style has been informed by transcribing the improvisations of legendary organist, Pierre Cochereau, from hundreds of archive recordings. David also reflects on his work in transcribing large-scale orchestral works for the organ and the resulting ethical dilemmas he has to consider.

https://www.david-briggs.org/

https://www.stjohndivine.org/

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and do get in touch at: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 6 - Liverpool Cathedral's new echo organ - Organic Metal and the pipe organ - Sir Andrew Parmley talks about his role as Chief Executive of the RCO Apr 10, 2024

In this episode we visit the largest cathedral organ in the UK to follow the organ builders from David Wells as they begin installing a new echo division to the main organ at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. As one of the largest cathedrals in the world, the building has its own micro climate which impacts the tuning of the organ.
https://liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/cathedral-music/organ/

David Pipe, organist at Huddersfield Town Hall, talks about the collaborations he gets involved with to bring the organ to new audiences. He explains why the organ is proving to be a success in a growing sub-genre of he heavy metal music, called Organic Doom Metal.

www.theguardian.com/music/2024/apr/06/uk-churches-keen-to-host-heavy-metal-bands-after-duet-with-organist-is-a-hit

And RCO Chief Executive Sir Andrew Parmley talks about his musical background, his remarkable journey from accidental childhood organist to Lord Mayor of London, and the College's outreach work and vision for the organ in modern cultural as well as spiritual life.

www.rco.org.uk/internationalorganday2024.php

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and do get in touch at: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 5 - Voicing the Guards' Chapel with Harrison & Harrison - Exploring the National Pipe Organ Register - Thomas Trotter talks repertoire and 40 years at Birmingham Town Hall Mar 25, 2024

In this episode we get a first look at the new Harrison & Harrison organ at the Guards' Chapel in London. Harrison's Head Voicer, Andy Scott, talks about the Harrison & Harrison sound while he demonstrates voicing the organ.
https://www.harrisonorgans.com/
https://www.harrisonorgans.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/London-Guards-Chapel-2023.pdf
Andrew Macintosh, Director of RCO Scotland and Northern Ireland, talks about his work as manager of the NPOR - the National Pipe Organ Register. He showcases some of the features and links this database offers.
https://npor.org.uk
Thomas Trotter talks about how becoming organist of Birmingham Town Hall, 40 years ago, gave him his 'lucky break' to become one of the leading concert organists in the world.
https://bmusic.co.uk/what-we-do/who-we-are/history-1/organ
Get in touch: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 4 - Improvising at the movies with Darius Battiwalla - The challenge of rebuilding Sheffield Cathedral's Choir - Blind organist David Liddle Mar 11, 2024

In this episode we hear Darius Battiwalla improvising to a 1920 silent horror film called 'The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. Sitting at the console of the 1972 Hradetzky organ at the Royal northern College of Music, Darius demonstrates some of the musical techniques he uses when improvising to silent films.
http://www.dariusbattiwalla.com/

Tom Daggett, Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral, talks about the work he's doing to rebuild the cathedral's choir.

https://www.sheffieldcathedral.org/cathedral-choir

Blind organist and composer, David Aprahamian Liddle, explains the process of learning music through braille, and shares some amusing anecdotes of his encounters with Jean Langlais, Olivier Messiaen, André Marchal and Madame Duruflé.

http://davidliddle.org/biography.htm

Get in touch: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 3 - Bristol Cathedral says 'Goodbye' to its Walker organ - Some extraordinary attitudes faced by women composers for the organ - Richard Gowers talks about his career Feb 28, 2024

In this episode we join Mark Lee, Director of Music at Bristol Cathedral, as he gives a quick demonstration of some of the distinctive 'Romantic' sounds of the 1907 Walker organ - just before it gets taken away for a major restoration by Harrison and Harrison.
https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/news/work-begins-on-our-organ-restoration-project/

Anne Marsden Thomas and Ghislaine Reece-Trapp talk about their recently published Oxford Book of Organ Music by Women Composers, and discuss some of the difficulties and extraordinary attitudes faced by women organists throughout the centuries.
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-book-of-organ-music-by-women-composers-9780193562721?cc=gb&lang=en&#:~:text=University%20Press%20Music-,Description,from%20a%20range%20of%20periods.

Richard Gowers talks about his experience as a King's College organ scholar, working with Sir Stephen Cleobury, and how he's diversified his keyboard skills to expand his career.
https://www.rgowers.com/
Get in touch: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 2 - 1688 Smith Organ at Auckland Castle - Lost Bairstow score - Martin Baker talks about life after Westminster Cathedral Feb 14, 2024

In this episode, Professor Magnus Williamson explores the sounds and history of the 1688 Smith organ in the private chapel at Aukland Castle, near Durham. Reflecting on the political and religious landscape of England during the 16th and 17th centuries, he reveals how close England came to abolishing church organs altogether.
https://aucklandproject.org/venues/auckland-castle/
We meet the man who discovered two unpublished original manuscripts by Sir Edward Bairstow, that had been left in a cardboard box for over 90 years.
https://blackburncathedral.com/event/uncovered-treasures-bairstow-in-blackburn/
Martin Baker talks about his life since leaving Westminster Cathedral, his musical upbringing and passion for improvising.
Get in touch: theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk

https://www.rco.org.uk/

Episode 1 - Manchester Town Hall's Cavaillé-Coll - Tom Bell records Messiaen - Margaret Phillips talks about her life and collections of historic pipe organs Feb 01, 2024

In this episode, we get a behind the scenes look at the start of the historic reconstruction of the 1877 Cavaille-Coll organ at Manchester's Town Hall with Andrew Caskie, Managing Director of Nicholson Organs.
https://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500354/our_town_hall/7676/heritage_and_art/7
Tom Bell talks about his latest project of recording Oliver Messiaen's 18 movement 'Livre du Saint Sacrement' at Blackburn Cathedral.
https://www.tombell-organist.net/about
Margaret Phillips talks about her life and career, and demonstrates some of the instruments in her extraordinary collection of historic pipe organs.
http://www.margaretphillips.org.uk/index.htm

https://www.rco.org.uk/

The Organ Podcast - Trailer Jan 26, 2024

The Organ Podcast - from February 1st - available wherever you get your podcasts.
This trailer features the voices of:
Martin Baker - former Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral
David Pipe - Organist at Leeds Cathedral and Huddersfield Town Hall
Margaret Phillips - Concert Organist
Professor Magnus Williamson - Professor of Early Music at Newcastle University
Andrew Caskie - Managing Director of Nicholson Organs Ltd
The Organ Podcast - Presented by Mark O'Brien

https://www.rco.org.uk/

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