As ever, Autumn Shades delivered on its promise and those who attended had a simply wonderful day with us. There were four sessions played on a variety of organs by Ian Tracey including the Makin Derwent, Thirlmere and Johannus LiVE instruments. Three were given in the showroom and one in the adjacent Holy Trinity Church which now has the latest Thirlmere organ permanently installed allowing guests to hear both organs in a showroom setting and in a large church building. Ian played a wide variety of pieces from Copland to Boëllmann and Thalben-Ball to Nevin.
Just prior to a large buffet lunch, Keith & Ian held a Q&A session with some questions from customers. This has turned into a very popular session when all those questions you can’t normally ask an eminent cathedral organist can be asked and answered. Following this Ian gave a registration session on the Thirlmere showing how French music can be successfully registered on a fully English organ. This was both entertaining and highly educational. Also of great interest was how to register ‘A Londonderry Air’ by Noel Rawsthorne.
In discussion later, Ian and Keith concluded that next year Ian will lead sessions about accompaniment of hymns. This is something all organists should be able to do, but let’s face it that sadly many make a terrible mess of with little thought for inspirational registration and with no account taken of words.
Keith is very grateful to our ex-staff member Mark Johnson coming out of retirement to turn pages for Ian. This is a task he excels in by being so discrete and one that Keith really does not enjoy doing himself.
Plans for Sounds of the Summer (2nd May) and Autumn Shades (3rd October) in 2026 are developing nicely. In addition to Ian Tracey with us we will also have Daniel Bishop playing, who for many years was the Assistant Organist at Liverpool Cathedral. He is also one of our house composers who has to date written ten pieces for us including an all time favourite ‘Reflection’ from ‘Liverpool Lollipops’.
