Even the BBC managed to do better

Beethoven would like a word with you

Picked up piano parts for playing in orchestra later this week; this sign-off from the copyist at the end of John Adams Short Ride made me smile

The right time of year for the satisfyingly cynical 'Spring' by Edna St Vincent Millay (1892-1950). I discovered it thanks to the wonderful @kukukadoo.bsky.social who posted it on X (but sadly doesn't seem to post on here).

In a change to the schedule, our final concert of the current organ recital series this Monday lunchtime at Leeds Cathedral will be a tribute to Simon Lindley. I'll be joined by David Greed, violin, to perform pieces he regularly played with Simon, as well as some of SGL's favourite organ pieces.

Two new concerts from Leeds online - Tom Winpenny's fantastic recital from February, and mine for International Women's Day - here's a taster from that of Rachel Laurin's spectacular Toccata - a lot of work but worth the effort!
www.leedsconcertseason.co.uk/watch-online/

A suitable epitaph for a musician? ‘A life devoted to the study of musical science, and shortened by unremitting application and anxiety in attainment of its object’. Stephen Storace, aged 36, English composer and brother of Nancy (who was the first Susanna in Marriage of Figaro).

Any organ music enthusiasts in Central London this Saturday, it would be great to see you at Bloomsbury Baptist church at 4pm - I’ll be playing Demessieux, Bach, Saint-Saens, Mendelssohn, Franck, Coates and Lemare.

Just finished this, and can’t recommend it highly enough. So moving and beautifully written.

Youngest gave me a John Cooper Clarke collection. Think this is my favourite. Brutal but true

Today in Liverpool.

The amazing Robert and Debra have completed the Leeds Town Hall facade pipe restoration! Have a look for the video on FB from the Upright Gilders (I can’t make the link work here, so here are a couple of pictures.)

Was recently entertained to learn that Herbert Howells used to call his ABRSM examining duties 'ass-boarding'. I hope he would have enjoyed my examining room this week, complete with bar and slowly rotating glitter-ball, as much as I did.

I can’t believe that a year ago I didn’t know this piece, and now I’ve played the organ for it 3 times, with 3 choirs, 2 conductors, and directed many choir rehearsals. I still find more in it every time, the beauty, intensity and total mastery of harmony and orchestration. It’s just extraordinary.