In January and February, the organ bellows are to be taken out and completely re-leathered. This is a major operation and probably has never been done since the organ was made in 1889 so it’s long overdue.
The front pipes have to come out and the bellows brought down with lifting equipment to be taken to Organ Design’s workshops in Liss, Hampshire for refurbishment.
You can help us keep the organ playing by coming to our concerts, or sponsoring a voluntary. We are also looking for more volunteers to help Julia Matthews with the refreshments and Ian Burgess with the screens at the recitals.
Here is the preliminary programme for 2019-
9 March: Jonathan Holmes, opening Organ Recital once the bellows are back! Programme here.
13 April: TBC Simon Gregory Organ Film Night
4 May: Jonathan Holmes ‘Northern Lights’ Recital including Oskar Lindberg: (Swedish composer) Sonata in G minor and Concert Fantasia in C minor, Oskar Merikanto: (Finnish composer) Passacaglia, Sibelius: Finlandia, Grieg: Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Bach Chorale Preludes, Buxtehude Prelude and Fugue in F sharp minor.
1 June: Jonathan and Sarah Holmes, Simon Gregory and Matthew Burgess present the ever-popular 8 Hands on 2 pianos.
20 July: Visiting Celebrity Recitalist TBC
7 September: St Mary’s Ewell Patronal Festival Recital including Alfred Hollins; Concert Overture in C minor, Thalben Ball: Variations on a theme by Paganini for Organ Pedals, Bach: Toccata and Fugue in F, Mendelssohn: Overture to St Paul, Reger: Choral Fantasie and Fugue on ‘Wachet Auf” Op 52/2.
5 October: The Requiem by Durufle sung by The Parish Choir with ‘on the day’ singers from local choirs.
All concerts begin at 7.30pm and end at 9.30pm, except where otherwise indicated.
The organist can been seen live on the big screen.
Further details from Jonathan Holmes
directorofmusic@stmarysewell.com
07825041427
or at www.stmarysewell.com
Tickets are £8.00 on the door or £7 in advance through Eventbrite. Under 16s qualify for a reduced ticket price of only £1. Wine and orange juice are available during the interval.
All of the events are live performances, and where appropriate close-ups of the organist or other performers are projected on screen to enhance your experience.
Most of our recitals showcase our wonderful Father Willis pipe organ. You can read more about the organ, and we hope you will come to hear it at one of our recitals.
Sometimes, our recitals take the form of a “come and sing”, open to all. A scratch choir rehearsed and performed Handel’s Messiah in March 2012, shown above.
You can always buy tickets on the door at any of our recitals. So please come along, and we promise you a warm welcome!