I have just come across this brilliant analysis of the life and work of Maurice Durufle. Absolutely captures the man and his music theimaginativeconservative.org/2021/03/musi...

There is a For Sale ad in The Diapason this month for the IIIP/ 28 1882 Willis which was originally in St Paul's Church, Brentford. It is now in storage in the San Francisco Bay area. Apparently it was exported in 1991 to be a house organ. It must have been some house!

There are indications that musical ability and the ability to learn a second language are related. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

Looking forward to the launch recital of the RCO Play the Organ Year 2025 at the Central Hall Westminster on Sunday 19th at 3pm. www.rco.org.uk/play.php

I've now joined the American Bach Society www.americanbachsociety.org I've no idea why I have failed to do so until now! Looking forward to the OA release of the Bach Perspective volumes later this year.

The renovated organ at St, John the Divine, New York, was used for the first time at the Eucharist service on 1 December. Video is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RpF...

A review of David Brigg's autobiography. Excellent!
martinwhite.substack.com/p/david-brig...

The inaugural concert for the RCO Play the Organ Year 2025 will take place at Central Hall, Westminster, on Sunday 19 January starting at 15.00 with a recital by Gerard Brooks. Tickets (free) at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/play-the-o...

The first pictures of the renovated Notre Dame are breath-taking. So far removed from the dark interior I recall from many visits over the years. It will be interesting to see what the lack of soot and dirt does to the acoustic with respect to the organ. I guess it will increase the reverberation

Bloomsbury Organ Day 2025 is on Saturday 25 January at the Central Baptist Church. npor.org.uk/survey/P00257 An excellent range of talks and mini-recitals concluding with a recital (no doubt with an improvisation!) by David Briggs. organistsonline.org/bloomsbury/i...

Although we have been recalling the skills of Pierre Cochereau this year we should not overlook Pierre Pincemaille (1956-2018). This video shows him at St. Denis where he was organist from 1987 until his death. www.youtube.com/watch?v=okr7... There are many more videos on YouTube. Such energy!

Very well-balanced programme on the current state of cathedral choirs with contributions from Exeter and Sheffield cathedrals, reflecting on the issues raised in the Cathedral Music Trust 2022 report on the sustainability of cathedral choirs. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

The BBC broadcasts a service of Compline on Sunday evenings, with music spanning centuries. 30 minutes of music to overcome the vicissitudes of the day. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Opening organ recital at the renovated/rebuilt Notre Dame will be given by Vincent Dubois on 21 January 2025 with music by Vierne, Florentz and Durufle. musique-sacree-notredamedeparis.fr/boutique/con... Then Olivier Latry on 28 January with Vierne, Leguay and two Cochereau improvisations.

Every organist should have a copy of 'Music for a Long While', the autobiography of Francis Jackson, Organist at York Minster from 1946 to 1982. He died in 2022 aged 104. 400 pages of experiences, insights and humour. Best known as the man who suggested the Widor Toccata for a royal wedding!

I'm working on a biography of C.S.Lang, who composed over 150 pieces in addition to the Tuba Tune. Also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in concerts at Christ's Hospital school where he was Director of Music from 1929-1945. Hope to publish in the Spring of 2025.

As you can guess from the photo (Blenheim Palace organ) my main interest is in organs, organ music and related areas. I have a weekly blog Manuals and Pedals at martinwhite.substack.com I hope to use BlueSky to comment on topics that do not warrant a blog post.