Organ demonstration recital by Paul Hale
Sat 28 March 3.30-5.30 pm
All Saints is thrilled to welcome Paul Hale, Cathedral Organist and Rector Chori Emeritus at Southwell Minster, Nottinghamshire. In this afternoon recital Paul will demonstrate the full capability of our very fine Nicholson church organ and we are expecting to be dazzled!
In the summer of 2024 Paul helped All Saints identify the needed repairs and restoration of the organ that was completed a year ago. He described the instru
ment as "a real gem... historically and musically important" and said, "The church is really fortunate to have this early work of an important organ craftsman ... with an international reputation."
After 27 years as Cathedral Organist at Southwell Minster, Paul received from the Archbishop of Canterbury the Thomas Cranmer Award in recognition of his "outstanding contribution to church music in Southwell and beyond". Paul gives organ concerts and lectures all over the world and has played in Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, Birmingham Town Hall, Liverpool Cathedral, and at the Hereford Three Choirs Festival.
Paul is in national demand as an independent organ consultant with projects in recent years including new organs for Merton College Oxford, Manchester and Newcastle R.C. Cathedrals plus restoration or rebuilding projects at Rochdale Town Hall, Selby Abbey, Birmingham, Salisbury and Rippon Cathedrals. He is currently planning the restoration of the Hradetzky organ in the Royal Northern College of Music along with new organs for Gloucester Cathedral and St Barnabas, Oxford.
Doors will open at 3pm and light refreshments served at the end of a one-hour concert. The music will span pieces from the 17th to early 20th centuries and include pieces by JS Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, Tomaso Albinoni, Cesar Franck, Joseph Bonnet, Hendrik Andriessen, Gabriel Groviez and Sigfrid Karg-Elert..
Entry is free but donations are welcome. These will kick-start an Organ Fund to maintain the instrument and fully restore it in about 20 years’ time.