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Every Wednesday at 12:30pm, enjoy the Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts at the stunning Grade I listed St Mary in the Baum church, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ.
Admission is just £6. As a “not for profit” initiative, your entry fee and donations directly support talented musicians, the historic venue, and music resources.
For details, contact Dr. Joe Dawson: 01706 648872.
Note: There have been 1,178 concerts since taking over the council’s Music at Lunchtime in 2001. Justifying continuity in Rochdale’s year as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm – 1.30pm.
Wednesday 25th March 2026 – Louise Taylor soprano & Jill Taylor mezzo (duets) with Jonathan Ellis piano (Manchester University & RNCM)
Here are the next events to whet your appetite.
Mar 25 – Louise Taylor soprano & Jill Taylor mezzo (duets) with Jonathan Ellis piano (Manchester University & RNCM)
Previous Performance Reviews.
Wednesday 18th March 2026 -Music from Tonacliffe Primary School. Directed by Freda Farnworth (Guildhall School of Music, London)
Spring has sprung – children’s voices, brass, recorders and solo guitar
The 1,178th lunchtime recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured 55 children from Tonacliffe Primary School in an hour of music-making in their 4th annual visit.
Few things are more joyous and signify spring than youngsters singing and playing.
Headmistress Mrs J Heap stated, ‘’we believe that every child should have the chance to experience music in its many forms’ and clearly, she has helped to bring that about. A key person in facilitating this was Freda Farnworth, well-known soprano, pianist, director and teacher, who works with them each week.
Freda accompanied at the piano whilst Mrs Heap conducted the choir in Calypso, a bright and joyous number that they use regularly as a warmup, as well as polished in parts today. Do Re Mi by Rodgers and Hammerstein, One Day by Sue Stevens and Singing in the Rain by Herb Brown were all sung with great enthusiasm and relish. It was great to hear youngsters singing in parts.
The embryonic Brass Group added a brief attractive fanfare before more charming choir songs, Si-Si-Si (Congolese traditional), Hushabye Mountain and Blackpool by Chris Hazell.
The Recorder Club dashed off Old MacDonald, Oranges and Lemons, Hush Little Baby, Skye Boat Song, Kumbaya, and Tango in record time. The mixed year groups all contributed, the older ones bringing on the newbies. As Freda mentioned, ‘you just get them going and then they leave’. So, there is a constant state of flux as the youngsters’ progress through.
We were also treated to a superb guitar solo by Harry Slattery, who played a Turkish March with great confidence, unphased by the large space. He and everyone else must have been thrilled to hear the music they made soar through the acoustics at St Mary’s. Harry is one to look out for.
Freda almost apologised for filling the programme time with Christmas leftovers. But we all appreciated the well-rehearsed numbers and understood that leftovers can often taste even better when reheated! Come on Christmas and Miracle Child by Ruth Kenward, All Over the Hills by Gavin Reid and Five Little Angels by Adrian Pearson were delicious and worthy of second helpings.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Wednesday 11th March 2026 -Rochdale Phoenix Opera Company
The 1,177th lunchtime recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured Rochdale’s own Phoenix Opera Company. Established in 1977 with the merger of Kirkholt G&S Society and Rochdale Intimate Opera Group it represents the borough’s rich tradition of amateur operatic and dramatic performance.
But first, for starters we had a set of solo songs, all sensitively accompanied by Elaine Marsden: ‘Fair Robin I Love’ delivered with panache by Anne Butteworth, an enthusiastic ‘Someday’ (Hunchback of Notre Dame) from Jane Reynolds, two poignant tenor solos by Quilter and Munro from Gerard Marsden, and ‘The Hours creep on a pace’ (HMS Pinafore) with appropriate dramatic fervour by Susan Fletcher.
Then it was ‘on with the motley’, as the assembled company delivered extracts from ‘The Gondoliers’.
There were outstanding individual performances and a hearty chorus, all of which was under the capable baton of Jonathan Gibson with excellent accompaniment from the second guest accompanist, Isobel Richie-Ingham.
A concert performance can often miss the dramatic effect of costumes and sets of the stage, but the excitement of the theatre was not lost and the superb acoustics of St Mary in the Baum helped make up for any disadvantages.
Andrew Sutcliffe & Chorus set the mood and Stella Whitehouse, Lynn Lee, Lawrence Shoebridge, Barrie Brailsford, Steven Miller developed the plot. Then in ‘Bridegroom and Bride’ the Chorus came into their own, and in complementing Julie Sutcliffe in the familiar ‘When a merry maiden marries’ brought the opera to life. Varied solo voices helped the realism in the Finale of Act 2, with Stella Whitehouse, Susan Fletcher, Julie Sutcliffe, Penny Lydiate, Abigail Rhodes, Brent Andrews, Barrie Brailsford, Steven Miller.
Then, extracts from ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ anticipated their 2027 repertoire, the company further aided by Stella Whitehouse, David Edwards and Gerard Marsden and others.
The show was narrated and directed by Jonathan Gibson who has does a great job developing his team’s ensemble work.
Next show: ‘The Gondoliers’ at St Aidan’s Church, Manchester Road, Sudden, OL11 3EL, Wednesday 15 April to 17 April 2026, Saturday 18 April 2026 2.30 pm.
On a sad note, an honorary Life Member, one of the early stalwarts of the groups from even before their merger, Irene Purdy, passed away on 2nd March at the age of 104. Pianist, teacher, deputy head, drama critic, JP, and a lovely person, she will be sadly missed.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Wednesday 4th March 2026 – Students from Chetham’s School of Music
Spring was in the air with burgeoning talent from youngsters from Chets.
The 1,176th recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured youngsters from Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, the UK’s largest specialist music school. Established in 1969, it offers a co-educational boarding and day school experience for students aged 8 to 18. Renowned for its rigorous musical training, all students enter through musical auditions. The school fosters a vibrant and supportive community, attracting students from around the world.
They were expertly accompanied by award winning pianist Staff Member Gemma Webster who was educated at The Purcell School, RCM, University of York, RNCM and Sibelius Academy (Helsinki). She has performed throughout the UK and overseas as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician as well as holding key piano teaching positions. In 2019 she joined the full-time staff at Chetham’s. Gemma’s compositions have received awards and have been performed on BBC radio & TV.
She proved to be an excellent accompanist and friendly mentor, encouraging and leading her charges by example.
Spring was definitely in the air as sunshine streamed in through the immense windows of St Mary in the Baum – necessitating sunglasses for some. But the youthful promise projected by these exceptional musicians was even more dazzling.
Singer Violet (16) sang a range of styles: Baroque Handel Va godendo, C19 French Pauline Viardot Les deux roses and C20 musical Lloyd-Webber’s Wishing you were somehow here again, all with a pleasing clear tone and engaging manner.
Erin (17) with her enthusiastic viola playing of the prelude from J S Bach’s unaccompanied Cello Suite No. 4, followed by the first movement of Hoffmeister’s Viola Concerto demonstrated that the often-unsung viola deserves its day in the sun.
Violet was joined by Miriam (15) for two of Mendelssohn’s Lieder Duets op. 63, in beautifully balanced part singing.
For cellist Will (18), Sally Beamish’s contemporary evocative unaccompanied piece Gala Water, was all the more poignant because it stemmed from his background, the Borders. The Brahms Sonata in F op. 99 showed similar immense control, power and musicianship beyond his years.
A fantastic lunchtime concert, doing Chetham’s proud and giving enormous pleasure through its gifted students … and staff.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association) was established in 1908. Latterly it has been made up of organists and music aficionados to support music in the area.
The organ in the town hall is renowned internationally. The committee consists of volunteers who, with the council officials, develop concerts by leading exponents to make the most of it.
Jonathan Scott is one of the leading organists of his generation and has charge of the Bridgewater Hall instrument amongst other accolades. He is the Honorary President of ORTOA and he also arranges concerts in his own right. More information at www.jonathanscott.co.uk
Tuesday 19 May 2026, 1 pm – Alexander Woodrow (Leeds Minster)
ORTOA tour of Middleton – Saturday 14th March 2026
Organists at large … in Middleton
In a week when there was much media attention to pipe organs becoming an endangered species, organists were at large in the borough – Middleton to be precise.
ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association) has been supporting organ music in the area since 1908. They promote concerts, particularly the Rochdale Town Hall organ, where they even managed to present a recital in between ‘tiers’ during Covid when the rest of the country was silent! But they have also promoted others throughout their patch, particularly when the town hall was closed for restoration.
St Leonard’s Parish Church
Members also enjoy periodic ‘organ crawls’ where significant instruments are explored, scrutinised and played during a Saturday outing.
The latest of these ‘crawls’ was around Middleton, where the Parish Church (St Leonard’s, Grade 1 listed) has a truly notable historical presence high above the town since its ancient foundation in 1412. It also has a tremendous musical heritage, including an organ, which members relished trying out (1920 Rushworth & Dreaper; rebuilt 1965 by Pendlebury Organ Company, 3 manuals plus pedal with 30 speaking stops). Leon MacLeod proved be a genial encyclopaedic guide to the historic building and its fascinating contents; resident organist David Brocklehurst also advised and demonstrated.
A short stroll through the Jubilee Park led to the Long Street Methodist Church complex – church, school and lecture hall set around a garden (1899-1901) – a fine Arts and Crafts masterpiece by renowned local architect Edgar Wood (1860-1935), hosted by Christine Grime. The organ needs some renovation and care but is an interesting reminder of the variety of instruments suited to their surroundings (original Peter Conacher & Co, Huddersfield, overhauled 2002, 3 manual and pedal with 23 speaking stops).
Long Street Methodist Church
Following a tasty repast next door at the Old Boar’s Head Pub (1622) the intrepid organists rounded off their crawl at the more recent St Michael & All Angels, Tonge, which was financed mainly by local brewery JW Lees, begun in 1901 and completed in 1931.
Members were delighted with their Middleton tour; as one of them said, ‘It brings to life the richness of heritage around us that we drive through day by day, wearing blinkers.’
New members are always welcome, contact Barrie Brailsford on 01706 343163.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Previous ORTOAPerformance Reviews.
Concert at Rochdale Town Hall Saturday 28 February 2026 – Ronny Krippner (Ripon Cathedral)
Dr Ronny Krippner was appointed Director of Music at Ripon Cathedral in 2022. Born in Bavaria in 1980 he studied organ in Regensburg while at the same time working as Assistant Choirmaster of the ‘Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows’, the Cathedral’s famous boys’ choir.
He took his master’s at Exeter University UK whilst singing in the Cathedral Choir as a Choral Scholar. In 2005 he became Organ Scholar at Bristol Cathedral, Organist at Clifton College and a member of staff at Bristol Grammar school. After a period at Newport Cathedral, Ronny held several such posts in London.
Ronny has made organ improvisation a specialism, for which he has won many accolades; he was Specialist Tutor for Organ Improvisation at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and in 2019 gained a PhD with a thesis on the subject from Birmingham City University. Ronny has recorded several CDs with organ and choir music and performed on television and radio in Germany and the UK.
So, Rochdale’s magnificent JJ Binns instrument was in good hands (and feet). In his pithy and helpful introductions Ronny described it as ‘absolutely amazing.’
Guilmant’s Finale from Sonata No 1 was a splendid opening, quickly establishing both player and the composer’s late Romantic style ideal for the instrument.
Mozart’s only surviving piece for organ, Piece for a Musical Clock K594 was mainly sombre and reflective as it was a funereal piece, yet Mozart’s playfulness and Classical charm surfaced for moments such as with references to his comic opera Cosi fan tutte.
Stanford’s Fantasia and Toccata in D minor, brought us back to the late Romantic sound world as with pieces from Widor’s Symphonie Gothique Op 70.
Finally, Ronny’s own improvisations provided a tantalising glimpse of the art of the organist. Not only must they adapt quickly to each individual instrument’s foibles but be quick witted enough to extend or provide seamless musical accompaniments to the needs of the church service or occasion. He showed himself to be a master of this with his Thema and Variations on Handel’s March from Scipione, and Prelude, Adagio and Fugue on the tune MELITA (Hommage à JS Bach).
This programme proved to be a perfect match for player, instrument, venue …and audience, as the sustained applause that called him back to the stage demonstrated.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Concert at Rochdale Town Hall Saturday 31 January 2026 – Peter Kwater
Peter Kwater was born in Blackburn and became seriously interested in music at the age of 16, and went on to study Organ, Piano and Harpsichord at the RNCM with Ronald Frost and Gillian Weir.
Following graduation and two years as Organ Scholar at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Peter established his own teaching practice, combined with solo performing and accompaniment work, for which he is in great demand.
Peter has been choral director and accompanist with many local Northern choirs, such as St Helens Choral Society, as well as a teacher and accompanist for Wigan Music Service. He was Organist and Director of Music at St Bartholomew’s Rainhill, for 35 years and since January 2024 Director of Music at St George the Martyr, Preston, with its historic 1860’s Fr Willis organ!
He wittily referred to his programme as, ‘A Full English’ as he chose such composers, many of whom lived and worked through the ‘civic’ period of entertainment through organs just like the Rochdale instrument. It was also thoughtfully varied – an eclectic mix – and admirably suited to show off the town hall instrument’s characteristics. His wife Carol was the registrant and aided his page turning with their synchronized electronic tablets – a first for the town hall’s JJ Binns instrument.
He opened with Pean – A song of triumph by Soorjo Alexander William Langobard Oliphant Chuckerbutty, (London-born of Indian parentage) a.k.a. simply Oliphant Chuckerbutty or Wilson Oliphant – worth putting on any programme, for the name alone! A triumphal opener indeed, written by a composer who was a significant expert on church, theatre and cinema organ music and playing.
Continuing this theme, after an impressive display of full power, Peter explored solo orchestral colours and sweeter sounds in two characteristic pieces, Fountain melody and Chanson d’Espoir by John Arthur Meale (b. Slaithwaite 1880-1932) who combined his ecclesiastical work at London’s Westminster Central Hall with over 600 civic performances including Saturday Popular Concerts – not unlike today.
Another contrast came with modern styles in Processional by Grayson Ives (Oxford organ scholar and an original Kings Singers member); followed by a delightful Canzona in Bb by the blind from birth musician, William Wolstenholme (b. Blackburn,1865-1931).
Two more attractive pieces by Nicholas Choveaux (b. Bromley 1909-1995) led to the resounding Triumphal March – by another renowned blind organist, Yorkshire composer Alfred Hollins (nicknamed ‘Alfred the Great’ by WT Best). Beginning and ending in triumph a carefully planned and well executed demonstration of civic organ music on one of the best surviving instruments in the country.
A charming little encore by William Russell, with its Early Romantic clarity, refreshed and enriched the palate to complete a rich and varied ‘Full English’.
The event was tinged with sadness with the news that Manchester-born Nigel Ogden, renowned organist and presenter of BBC Radio 2’s popular series ‘The Organist Entertains’ for over 38 years, passed away suddenly on the morning of last Tuesday 27th January, aged 71. He would have loved it.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Concert at Rochdale Town Hall Wednesday 17 December 2025 – Jonathan Scott Christmas Organ Concert
This was not just any Christmas concert. This was a Jonathan Scott organ spectacular especially for the season … and there was no room at the inn.
In what has become an annual tradition, once more the Great Hall was packed out, having been sold out several weeks previously. If you missed it, you could view it on their Scott Brother Duo YouTube channel, which attracts 100 million views.
Over one hundred years ago this magnificent instrument by James Jepson Binns (donated by Alderman Sir Samuel Turner JP) made its debut on the visit of their Majesties King George V and Queen Mary, 9th July 1913. Paying tribute to it, Jonathan commented that it was an outstanding instrument in an equally outstanding building.
Trained at Chetham’s and the RNCM, USA and the Netherlands, Jonathan is now Associate Artist of the Bridgewater Hall and a top-class organ virtuoso. He also has a busy international concert schedule with his pianist brother, Tom (who filmed today’s show and also appeared as a six-foot Christmas tree).
Jonathan is one of those rare performers who has consummate ability and a popular touch able to engage readily with an audience. He skillfully introduced and guided us through the varied orchestral sounds and combinations at his disposal. He has played the Binns instrument many times. He affectionately remembered as a young student paying 50p per hour to practise and later notably made a definitive video recording of playing it just before the pandemic.
We started straight in with the first of Jonathan’s skillful arrangements of well-known orchestral pieces by Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, and his own Prelude and Fugue on Good King Wenceslas. Then his adaptations of JS Bach’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Humperdinck’s Evening Prayer from Hansel and Gretel, Adam’s O Holy Night, and finally Jonathan’s own Christmas Rhapsody.
They treated us to the bonus of a Musical Christmas Crackers game, trimmed down from last year where Jonathan played a well-known classical work which acts as an accompaniment or counterpoint to a carol – audience members had to name both. The hilarity and fun belied the considerable skill of the organist to combine these themes convincingly.
For organ and music lovers, there could not have been a better Christmas gift.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Concert Saturday at 3 pm October 11th – 2025 Brereton Memorial Concert featuring Darius Battiwalla.
The Brereton Memorial Fund (breretonfund.org.uk) was founded in memory of Philip and Gwen Brereton who died in December 2000. Throughout their lives they were volunteers for ORTOA, the Royal College of Organists and the Incorporated Association of Organists, where they organised the Annual Congress.
Darius Battiwalla took up the post of Leeds City Organist in 2017, programming the very successful Town Hall recital series and giving regular solo concerts. He is currently overseeing the renewal of the Leeds Town Hall organ. Recent performances include the recitals at the Cathedrals of Coventry, Lincoln, Ripon, and St Albans, as well as appearances with Collegium Vocale Gent in Ghent and Amsterdam, and the annual recital for the Royal College of Organists conferment of diplomas. In 2024 he was part of the premiere of a new work for four organs by James Wood commemorating the Great Storm of 1674, to be performed simultaneously by organists across Europe. He has recently released a CD, recorded by audiophile label Base2 Music, including the Whitlock Sonata and works by Fela Sowande and Percy Grainger. He has appeared as soloist with the Halle and London Philharmonic Orchestras, and is a regular orchestral organist and pianist for the BBC Philharmonic and Halle orchestras. As a pianist, he gives regular chamber concerts with members of the Manchester orchestras, and on the harpsichord he has played continuo with many UK orchestras and performed and broadcast harpsichord concertos: most recently soloist in Frank Martin’s Harpsichord Concerto for the Northern Ballet Theatre.
Darius teaches improvisation at the Royal Academy of Music and is teaching on this year’s Royal College of Organists summer course.
He promises a tantalising Programme:
Guilmant: Sonata 1 in D minor
Bach: Pastorale
Fela Sowande: Kyrie
Mendelssohn: “Prelude & Fugue” in E minor
Hollins: 3 pieces: Intermezzo; A Song of Sunshine; A Trumpet Minuet
Chaminade: Pierrette (Air de ballet)
Bizet: Farandole from l’Arlesienne
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Tuesday 16 September 2025 at 2 pm -Alex Fishburn.
Alex Fishburn who remembered with affection playing here ten years previously, as a teenager. His enthusiasm was clear in his performance and introductions, which resulted in him saluting the instrument. It was great to see the promise of youth coming to fruition in his masterful playing.
From 2003 Alex was a chorister at Durham Cathedral, studying the piano and, in his final year, organ. He continued at Chetham’s School of Music before studying at the Royal College of Music. He has held many positions including Sub-Organist of Liverpool Cathedral.
Now a freelance musician, he combines his work at Henry Willis & Sons with concerts and accompaniment work around the North-West.
Outside of music, Alex’s interests include change-ringing, history and architecture.
He suited his programme to Rochdale’s renowned instrument well – Elgar’s mighty Sonata in G (Opus 28) received poor reviews at its first airing but in the Great Hall’s splendour the JJ Binns’ ‘mighty beast’ revealed its true glory. A majestic Allegro Maestoso got everyone’s attention, followed by a more relaxed and tuneful Allegretto. The Andante Espressivo had broad sweeping melodies so typical of the later Elgar whilst the Presto was brisk and jaunty.
Robert Schumann’s Four Sketches for Pedal-Piano (Op. 58) were interesting adaptations for organ of music for the unusual pedal-piano that explored colourful registrations.
Two wonderful numbers by Alexandre Guillmant followed from his Opus 15, the attractive Interlude in F and March on a Theme by Handel, making full use of the orchestral colours of our civic instrument.
Pierre Cholley’s Rumba sur les Grands Jeux was a riotous foot-tapper and its vigorous development of the countermelody steamed close to the fairground. Great fun.
An extra treat, dedicated to an old friend, the late David Birch, an ORTOA committee member, A Song of Sunshine by Hollins proved a poignant encore.
Given his association with the instrument and ORTOA, not to mention his fine playing, Alex was a highly appropriate performer to round off a successful mini season of Tuesdays at One!
Keep an eye on future times and days when the town hall and ORTOA find the best fit amongst so many other fantastic events at the town hall.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Wednesday 23 July 2025 at 2 pm -Jonathan Scott Summer Organ Spectacular.
If anyone deserves the title of superstar in the world of organ music, it is Jonathan Scott. As shown in the picture, the hall was packed at 2 pm on a Wednesday afternoon in July.
Trained at Chetham’s and the RNCM, USA and the Netherlands, Jonathan, now Associated Artist at the Bridgewater Hall also gave a live organ solo BBC Prom last year at The Royal Albert Hall.
What is more, Jonathan is one of the best players to present a programme that makes the most of Rochdale’s JJ Binns instrument, as he knows it so well and he is a skillful arranger choosing appropriately from a wide repertoire. He is one of those rare performers who has consummate ability and a popular touch able to engage readily with an audience. He skillfully introduced and guided us through the varied sounds and combinations at his disposal.
We began with Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March no. 4 using all of the instrument’s orchestral qualities. Followed by Handel’s Passacaglia from Suite No. 7, with the original harpsichord music adapted to great effect. Then the Italian countryside was gloriously painted, complete with a convincing storm, in Vivaldi’s Summer concerto from the Four Seasons. In contrast, we had the calm of Saint-Seans’ beautiful aria from Samson and Delilah.
Mendelssohn’s Scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Holst’s Jupiter from the Planets again revelled in orchestral colour, epitomizing the town hall organ’s capacity to bring the sounds of the concert hall or opera house to the people.
More Handel, from his Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne also gave Jonathan the opportunity to point out the stained-glass portraits of British Royalty that surround the Great Hall, commenting that we had an outstanding instrument in an equally outstanding building.
The magnificent Widor Toccata crowned it all, incidentally, the only piece that wasn’t arranged by Jonathan.
An exquisite rendering of Puccini’s aria O mio babbino caro was a well-deserved encore that made a summer spectacular in so many ways.
You can see him again on 17 December 2025 for his Christmas offering. Book now to be sure of a place!
Jonathan is also the Honorary President of ORTOA (Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association founded 1908) who continue their mission to promote organ music and the town hall instrument next on Tuesday 16 September at 1 pm Alex Fishburn (Liverpool Cathedral).
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
Tuesday 15 July 2025 at 1 pm – LEE LONGDEN Cinema Organist.
Rochdale’s internationally renowned Binns organ at the town hall was the star of the show in this delightful showbiz concert.
Lee Longden, a classically trained organist, pianist and conductor, branched out into jazz and popular music, and enjoyed a professional career as a performing musician and Musical Director. His work took him to many parts of the world, performing on land and at sea, in concert halls, theatres and cabaret and broadcasting on radio and television.
Lee returned to his first love today as a concert theatre organist after recovering from an illness. His engaging and enjoyable programmes are widely appreciated for their accessibility, variety and quality. Today was no exception.
He was delighted to have been invited to demonstrate Rochdale’s renowned civic organ’s great versatility. He said that he ‘believed the Binns turns its hand to anything’!
Although it does not have the bells and whistles or sound effects of a mighty Wurlitzer, nor does it rise through the floor, Lee used his considerable theatre and cinema skills to orchestrate imaginatively and make the most of the amazing instrumental colours and terrific bass stops. The musical choices and introductions were equally witty.
It was a case of no business like show business as famous Studio marches instantly propelled us into the world of cinema. Shirley Bassey’s Greatest Hits (entitled Shirley is Forever, as in Diamonds, get it?) had great rhythmic vitality and stirring bass and, A Walk in the Black Forest, and a Bossa Nova Selection had everyone’s feet tapping involuntarily. A Celebration of Sammy Davis Jr demonstrated superb vocal phrasing worthy of the legendary singer.
If the showbiz style was Reginald Dixon, then Lonely Ballerina was pure Mantovani and his exotic singing strings; twentieth century light music in glorious technicolour. Hollywood Blockbusters themes came thick and fast: A Bridge too Far, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Odd Couple, Born Free, Titanic, Harry Potter, the Magnificent 7, reliving those iconic cinematographic thrills. All we needed was the popcorn and interval choc ice.
This feast of movie magic came from the same musician and instrument just as capable of the gravitas of sacred or serious music of JS Bach or Widor’s Toccata – no wonder organists want to come and play Rochdale’s JJ Binns organ, a beacon of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2025/6.
The sustained spontaneous applause from a delighted audience proved that this was an hour to remember – when the majestic giant clicked its heels.
With thanks to Dr. Joe Dawson for permission to publish his article.
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