ORGAN OF THE MONTH 54: December 2006
St
Matthew's, Northampton |
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Last month, three members of BOA visited Northampton for the inaugural recital by David Briggs on the newly-restored Walker organ in the Parish Church. The restoration was carried out by Harrison & Harrison of Durham, who have been maintaining the organ since 1975, at a cost of £320,000.
The importance of this historic instrument lies in the fact that it has been preserved tonally in exactly the condition envisaged by the original builders, the only addition during the present re-build being the extension of the Pedal Trombone to 32ft pitch. During the 1971 rebuild, the console was replaced, but this has now been remade in the style of the original.
As ever, David Briggs was an outstanding choice of recitalist to demonstrate the exceptional qualities of this instrument, which were particularly evident in his own transcription of The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas and Reubke's Sonata on the 94th Psalm. Do go and hear the organ if you are able!