Tag: organ

Brilliant evening of Bach

The “Brilliance of Bach” turned Saturday 18 June 2022 into a suitably brilliant evening. There had been some apprehension, because the choir are still recovering from the long shut down due to the pandemic and we were only able to field about half of our usual complement.

But the evening was a splendid mixture of different Bach delicacies, with variety being the key. Darius Battiwalla’s organ playing, especially in the Toccata and Fugue in D minor was stunning, bringing some of the audience to their feet at the end in appreciation. There was a similar rapturous reception for the excellent rendering of the Concerto in D minor BWV1043 by members of the National Festival Orchestra. The audience watched spellbound as the violins of Sally Robinson and Rachael England seemed to come alive in their hands.

Against this background of brilliance the choir presented several pieces, from simple to highly complex, with variety again being the theme, demonstrating the mastery and talent of this most special of composers.

Stand-in conductor, our President George Nicholson, who has been instrumental in encouraging the choir back from such a long, enforced absence, together with our highly accomplished accompanist Ruth Nicholson on organ and harpsichord completed a splendid evening of music.

We had a capacity audience, and are so grateful to all of you for supporting us. We hope you enjoyed your evening.

Paul Downing

Thomas plays Poulenc

Sheffield Telegraph 19 September 2018

Sheffield Bach Choir is thrilled that Thomas Corns, Director of Music at Sheffield Cathedral, will play at their ‘French Connection’ concert on 6 October. “I’m very much looking forward to playing Poulenc’s Concerto” said Thomas. “It’s the first time I’ve performed with one of Sheffield’s major ensembles as a soloist since my appointment – and it’ll be in the Cathedral where I work!”

thomas corns 1Prize-winning graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Thomas held organ scholarships at Cambridge and St Paul’s Cathedral and has performed on TV and radio. Thomas feels privileged to be nurturing the centuries-old tradition of choral singing in this wonderful venue. “I enjoy working with the talented boys and girls who come from across the city to be choristers, and with the professional musicians and students of the choir.”

The choristers will join the Bach Choir to sing Duruflé’s Requiem, Faure’s well-known Cantique and Poulenc’s exquisite Salve Regina, with mezzo soprano Joanna Gamble and baritone Thomas Asher. Singing with the altos will be Thomas’ wife Claire, who joined the choir shortly after their arrival in 2017.

As a child Thomas was inspired by the organ playing at Wells cathedral where he was a chorister. “Good organs often have a tremendous expressive range but they are also impressive instruments” he explained. “Playing a cathedral organ to thousands of people on an important occasion can feel like a big responsibility – but it’s also great fun!”

Staying with the organ theme, two days later the choir’s music director Simon Lindley presents a free recital at Nether Green Methodist Church on the magnificent Father Willis organ, which was almost certainly played at his grandparents’ wedding in 1916.  “Henry ‘Father’ Willis built organs in St Paul’s cathedral, the Royal Albert Hall and Windsor Castle, as well as the somewhat smaller but no less fine example now at Nether Green” said Simon. “My grandmother Elsie May lived on Gladstone Road, Ranmoor, but moved to Leeds after her marriage to Rev Francis Joshua Lindley”. Music and ministry run in the family; Simon’s sister Ruth was a singing tutor who sang in the London Oratory Choir, his late father was a minister and his cousin Lisa lives in Sheffield and sings with Sheffield Bach Choir.

The recital is organised by the choir with Sheffield & District Organists’ and Choirmasters’ Association, of which Simon is President-Elect, in commemoration of the Armistice Centenary, which the choir will also mark by presenting Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man at the cathedral on 17 November. “This recital includes works by Elgar, Butterworth and Vaughan Williams” explained Chris Walker, Chair of Sheffield Bach Choir. “It will be a wonderful evening rounded off by a free buffet. We hope readers will come to hear Simon play the organ that has such a special place in his family history – especially since it’s his 70th birthday two days later!”

The recital is free, with a retiring collection for choir funds; details from www.sheffieldbachchoir.org.uk.

Tickets for the cathedral concert from www.sheffieldbachchoir.org.uk, www.wegottickets.com, Sheffield Cathedral shop, or at the door.