BIOS Reporter – Volume 38, No.1 – January 2014

I recently attended two very different organ recitals, and thought of Mark 6:4! The first was in St Mary’s RC Cathedral, Edinburgh and finished with a performance of Rachmaninov’s 2nd Piano Concerto, using the organ instead of an orchestra. The organ is based on the 1882 Wilkinson & Son organ from Preston Town Hall. The unusual mix of piano and organ worked superbly well with the orchestral quality of the organ shining through. It was clear that the character of a civic organ had not been lost in the rebuild, finished 2007. The console was on full show in the chancel, with the audience entertained by the visual spectacle of the playing of Simon Nieminski (Cathedral organist). The organ is at the opposite end of the Cathedral.

The second was in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Glasgow, given on a 21 rank Wurlitzer. Again the orchestral quality of the organ shone through, with full use made of the many traps and tremulants. Around 200 people were again entertained by the spectacular playing of Phil Kelsall (Blackpool Tower’s Ballroom). The console is on the stage at the front and again the organ is at the opposite end of the hall…