Choir & Organ

Choir & Organ shines a global spotlight on two distinctive fields of creativity, celebrating inventiveness and excellence in all their forms. We aim to inspire our readers through giving a platform to conductors, organists, composers, and choirs of every kind; and showcasing the imaginative craft of pipe organ building across the centuries, critiquing new organs and tackling ethics in restoring historic instruments.

Music matters

Choir & Organ

NEW NICHOLAS DANBY TRUST SCHOLAR

GRAMOPHONE CLASSICAL MUSIC AWARDS 2021

DOUBLE WIN FOR CAMPBELL AT MAKING MUSIC AWARDS

IN BRIEF

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

FOUR CHOIRS NOMINATED FOR RPS INSPIRATION AWARD

BBC RADIO 3 CAROL COMPETITION RETURNS

EVENTS

PAST LIVES

NEW HOME FOR THE MONTEVERDIS

PREMIERES [RP = REGIONAL PREMIERE]

RECITAL ROUND-UP

LITURGICAL FAURÉ FOR ALL SOUL’S DAY

Opening time • In June this year, Errollyn Wallen CBE was the recipient of the ISM’s 2020 Distinguished Musician Award. She talks to David Wordsworth about the influences on her compositions, and the importance of avoiding elitism in classical music

Unlikely suspects • A Northen Ireland project to commission 10 organ chorale preludes for a major arts centre turned to a diverse range of musicians, including a harpist and a jazz duo. Michael Quinn reports

Your chance to WIN CDs and sheet music

Suzi Digby • Choral conductor, music educator and social entrepreneur

Freestyle • Da doo Prom Prom Prom, da doo Prom Prom…

Denman’s delight • The magnum opus of a little-known 19th-century York organ builder has found a new home in its native city. Chris Bragg investigates its return from oblivion.

St Lawrence Parish Church, York • W. DENMAN & SON (1885); ABBOTT & SMITH (1925); J. JACKSON (c.1975); NICHOLSON & CO. (2020)

Christmas Silence • A tender unaccompanied carol for mixed choir reflects on the birth of Jesus. Lillie Harris talks to Matthew Power

Early days • Formed in 2015 to perform renaissance music, this autumn Ensemble Pro Victoria are releasing their debut album of works by English composer Robert Fayrfax. Their development has been largely serendipitous so far; do they have what it takes to stay the course? asks Rebecca Tavener.

EARLY MUSIC FESTIVALS 2021-2022 • Dates for your diary

In search of lost time • Natascha Reich concludes her Peruvian series by discussing inherently Andean influences on the organs of the Valle de Colca – influences resulting from practices brought to the area by missionaries and later embraced on their own terms by (presumably) native craftsmen

TIM ARNOLD • ‘Beacon of excellence’ This south coast resort is mainly thought of as sun, sea and sand; but away from the beach, some serious music-making has been taking place for over a century. Clare Stevens is impressed with the achievements of Bournemouth Symphony Chorus

Work in progress • On a virtual tour of Fratelli Ruffatti’s Padua workshop, Paul Hale catches a glimpse – among other instruments – of the new organ for Pershore Abbey.

Pershore Abbey, UK

TRAVELLER’S JOY • Stephen Pritchard hears new music under ancient mosaics at the Ravenna Festival, sees goldfish swim beneath a church, and savours the local pasta

Explore 28 years of Choir & Organ

CHOIR & ORGAN NEXT ISSUE DECEMBER 2021 NEXT ISSUE DECEMBER 2021

NEW DISCS COMING OUT IN… NOVEMBER 2021

REVIEWS

KEYBOARD CDS

CHORAL CDS

EARLY MUSIC • Rebecca Tavener rounds up the latest releases

CHORAL SELECTION • Anthems by Gareth Treseder and Robert A. Hobby, arrangements by James Vivian and Wayne L. Wold, and Cecilia McDowall’s tribute to crystallographer Rosalind...