WELL make the most of it not only in the church services but also more generally. Over the years since the organ was installed in 1973, there have been various concerts in St Mary?s at which the organ?s wide range has been displayed, and on 19 May, Jonathan Holmes gave us the opening concert in the 2007 series.

His title for the concert, ?Great Toccatas, Marches and Adagios on the Mighty 1889 Father Willis Organ? made it clear that this was going to be a lively evening aimed particularly at people, like your reporter, who are not necessarily musical experts; Jonathan helped this by his brief but lucid introductions. In the first half there was a classic Bach toccata and fugue, the stirring ?War March of the Priests? by Mendelssohn and the lively ?Handel in the Strand? by Percy Grainger. But these pieces were interspersed with two adagios (which means ?slow movement?); these were calm and measured pieces where each note was of significance and where the splendid tonal qualities of the organ could be savoured. The first half concluded with a full-bodied final movement from Vierne?s first symphony.

The second half showed a similar wide variety from the Wagner overture to ?The Meistersingers? to a prelude on the theme of ?Amazing Grace?, and another calming adagio, followed by a Bach cantata. The concluding piece was Widor?s Toccata ?well known for its use at the end of many wedding services but on this occasion deliberately played more slowly than usual to bring out its special quality.

By the time this article appears we shall have also enjoyed the second concert by Jonathan?s colleague at Emmanuel School, Simon Gregory. The programme promises a similar wide range of pieces, covering both well recognised organ works by Bach, Mozart and Gounod as well as adaptions for organ from Tchaikovsky?s ?The Nutcracker? and from Sousa?s ?The Stars and Stripes Forever?. Our Father Willis really is a very versatile and exhilarating musical instrument- so look out for further recitals in the autumn.

NMH