WHAT’S ON: Director of Music at Leeds Cathedral, organist David Pipe
ORTOA recital – organist David Pipe
By Dr Joe Dawson
ORTOA – Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association – continued the exploration of its ‘patch’ whilst the Rochdale Town Hall organ is ‘mothballed’ during renovation.
Albion United Reformed Church is a prominent and impressive building in Ashton-under-Lyne, which has a notable and well-respected instrument.
Some may have seen the fabulous YouTube videos of ORTOA’s Honorary President, Jonathan Scott playing it – even during lockdown.
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It is ideal for performing in front of an audience especially, as today, a video camera and screen allowed us to see hands and feet at work.
The soloist on this occasion was the Director of Music at Leeds Cathedral, David Pipe, formerly Organ Scholar of Downing College, Cambridge followed by the Royal Academy of Music (elected an Associate in 2018).
He has given recitals at major international venues, and his solo recordings have been described as “electrifying”.
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David became Director of the Keyboard Studies Program and Cathedral Organist in Leeds in 2016, having been Assistant Director of Music at York Minster.
He is founding Artistic Director of the Leeds International Organ Festival, and Curator of Huddersfield Town Hall’s organ recital series.
In demand as a conductor and workshop leader, he has been Musical Director of York Musical Society since 2012.
His varied program began with the famous Tuba Tune by Norman Cocker, the legendary organist who was equally at home playing at Manchester Cathedral and cinemas.
David Pipe proved to be a worthy champion and the Albion instrument a worthy vehicle.
This partnership continued with César Franck’s fantasy in A, fulfilling David’s description of a love story with a sad ending.
Cecilia McDowall provided a modern take on a Baroque chorale, which was juxtaposed with an original composition of the period: Buxtehude’s Praeludium in G minor.
Another modern composer Ghislaine Reece-Trapp’s In Paradisum explored the softer reflective colors beautifully; whilst Jongen’s Sonata Eroïca, Op. 94 made exciting and extensive use of this expressive instrument.
All was superbly played, along with succinct and insightful introductions.
The next ORTOA presentation will be at Rochdale’s St Chads Church OL16 1QT for the annual Brereton Memorial Concert with Philip Rushworth of Chester Cathedral on Saturday, October 8 at 3 pm.
Falinge Writers Back in Action
NEW PROJECT: Members of the Falinge Writers group
By Steve Cooke
Falinge writers are back with their second season of workshops at Falinge Park.
They have managed to secure funding to run a writing project over the next few months
The title of this new project is ‘The New Elizabethans’.
Within the project they will have field trips and invite facilitators who are specialists in the areas.
They have already had a question-and-answer session with the author NJ Cartnel whose second book is due out on Saturday, September 24.
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On Thursday, September 15, there is a field trip to Manchester to attend a workshop by Joy France on the art of the Poetry Slam and Rap at Afflecks Palace where she is poet in residence.
They meet weekly on Thursday mornings 10 am until 12 noon in the café in Falinge Park.
No booking required. Light refreshment available and free parking.
For more information email: eileen.earnshaw@yahoo.co.uk.
Falinge Writers are supported by Vintage Worx a community led, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to removing barriers to opportunities, and committed to helping people maximize their talents and realize their full potential.
Based within Falinge Park, the team of passionate volunteers who run Vintage Worx have a fifteen-year track record of successful engagement within the local community.
WHAT’S ON
Sunday, Sep 18
Alkrington Village Craft Market
Pop along and support your local small businesses and community.
With over 30 stalls, a fantastic range of brilliant crafters selling their handmade and unique crafts not available on the high street.
Hot food and refreshments available
Cost: Free.
Information: Free customer parking outside Alkrington Community Centre, plus additional parking outside Tesco Mainway Alkrington.
phone: Lee Yates 07807 457 703
Visit: https://www.facebook.com/ALKMARKET
Time: 10am – 3pm
Address: Alkrington Community Centre, Hardfield Road, Alkrington, Middleton M24 1TQ
Wednesday, Sep 21
Toad Lane Concerts – Rochdale’s Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week with Tim Kennedy tenor – Cambridge University and RNCM staff – Peter Durrant piano – Manchester University and RNCM staff.
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020… during the pandemic!
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s.
The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
Cost: £6
phone: Dr Joe Dawson on 01706 648872
Time: Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Address: St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary’s Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
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