Organ to sound right notes after rennovation
A RENOVATED church organ is to be played at a free public concert to celebrate its £130,000 revamp.
St Peter’s Church in Market Bosworth will be hosting the recital on Friday March 23 at 7.30pm.
Organist David Johnson, a former suborganist at Derby Cathedral, will be at the keyboard of the organ’s newly digitised console, with St Peter’s choir performing choral works to suport the main instrumental programme.
Two choir hymn tune arrangements have been especially composed for the occasion which will also include Elizabethan Serenade by Ronald Binge and John Stanley’s Voluntary in D, with pieces by Herbert Howells and Louis Lefebure-Wely, among others.
The Rev Mark Poskitt, priest in charge at St Peter’s, said: “This recital is a celebration of the musical life of St Peter’s Church.”
Work to remodel the worn out 1893 organ began in March 2017 when a four-man team at Cousans Organs Ltd in Coalville took on what managing director Ian Carter described as a “brave” commission from St Peter’s Church council.
It involved renewing about 70 per cent of the pipes inside the orginal Victorian case and creating a new, separate console which can be played from anywhere in the church.
The organ also boasts new bellows, with a new digital action replacing the original, worn-out mechanical one.
Digital additions include a “festival trumpet” effect.
Mr Carter said: “It was a long job and kept us fairly busy.
“You are never quite sure just how it’s going to work out but we are absolutley delighted.
“Essentially, it is a standard pipe organ with some digital stops but it gives more flexible options for playing.
“If need be, it can be wheeled to another part of the church.
“It was a bit of a brave decision by the PCC.
“Some people might think, how can we justify spending that amount of money? “But it will see us all out.” And what of the new, digital sound? “Most people,” said Mr Carter, “would never tell the difference.”
Music lovers will be able to judge the results for themselves at the concert, which is open to all.