Jonathan Rennert opens the Festival with a programme from the organ of St Michael, Cornhill in the City of London.
Programme
03:48 Fanfare for Organ - Ronald Arnatt
06:30 Chanson de Matin - Sir Edward Elgar (arr. Herbert Brewer)
09:43 Allegro Assai (Sonata 1934, 3rd movement) - Herbert Howells
19:08 Tune in E in the style of Stanley - Sir George Thalben-Ball
22:23 Gibraltar March - Denis Bédard
THE ORGAN is the instrument in St Michael’s Cornhill, in the City of London. Originally a 2-manual Renatus Harris instrument in the west gallery, its opening recital was given in 1684 by the composer Henry Purcell (who was then the organist of Westminster Abbey). Since then, it has grown into a 67-stop, 3-manual organ in the chancel. The latest restoration was by Nicholsons in 2010 (specification: www.npor.org.u.... It is a particularly versatile instrument, but is especially suitable for English music, and for accompanying cathedral-type choral singing.
ST MICHAEL’S CORNHILL has a long musical tradition. A choir of boys and men was singing three daily services in the year 1375. The choirmaster’s contract from 1509 still exists. Directors of Music have included the composer William Boyce, Richard Limpus (who founded the [Royal] College of Organists here in 1864), Harold Darke (who reigned for fifty years: 1916-66) and Richard Popplewell. Jonathan Rennert has been in post since 1979.
JONATHAN RENNERT apologises that he recorded this recital during the most recent lockdown, when he had not had a haircut for a considerable time! He was brought up in London, was a Foundation Scholar of the Royal College of Music, and Organ Scholar at St John’s College, Cambridge, under George Guest. He had gained his FRCO at the age of 18. After university, he spent 18 months in Canada, directing the music at an Anglican church in Ottawa, before returning to London and his appointment at St Michael’s. He has given concerts and recitals on five continents, has frequently broadcast on the BBC, and appears on CDs as soloist and conductor. He is the author of books on the organist George Thalben-Ball and the composer William Crotch. He has been a senior moderating examiner for the ABRSM, and an examiner for the RCO. Amongst other positions, he has been a Warden of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, Master of The Musicians’ Company, a Governor of the Royal Society of Musicians, and Chairman of the Arabesque Trust (a charity for blind musicians).
Music used:
The Happy Breed: IV. Brazil 99 - www.amazon.co....
Satyagraha - www.amazon.co....
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