Visit: Dulwich Open Day 2016

Dulwich Festival 8 May 2016

Open Afternoon

P1040417For the fourth year running, SSLSO has hosted an open afternoon, as part of Dulwich Festival, with the aim of welcoming those who would not have entered Christ’s Chapel before to try the organ. Committee members reported that more people attended than ever this year.

Several young people brought music of their own to play, including one organ pupil presenting a movement by Wesley from Anne Marsden Thomas’s Oxford Service Music for Organ series. Other recognisable pieces were Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca, a piano sonatina movement by Beethoven. Several very young children were guided through Three Blind Mice, O Will You Wash My Father’s Shirt on the pedals, Mary Had a Little Lamb.

A number of adult players and committee members contributed a chorale prelude by Flor Peeters, Buxtehude’s Toccata in F, the Praeludium in G Minor, music by Dupuis, Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary, Larghetto byWesley, Pachelbel’s Canon, Chopsticks on the Vox Humana, Organ Concerto movements by Handel.

Various sounds were displayed, the history described. Players seemed most interested in howP1040426 the organ differed from the piano, how the organ was powered before churches and chapels were connected to electricity suppliers. One gentleman celebrated his playing of the organ by donning full academic dress to play a couple of hymns.

Downstairs in the vestry was a computer display of the history of the organ, created and shown by John Mitchell. This was the highlight of the afternoon, almost Charles Ives like, as snippets of famous organ repertoire wafted up stairs whilst completely different organ music was being tried out and was heard upstairs and downstairs. Click here to view this magnificent piece of music and animation.

Next year we plan to develop the event in order to give the proceedings a stronger focus. Thanks are due to everyone on our very supportive committee to enliven a colourful afternoon. Thanks are also due to members of CLESO who also joined us. We delighted to see everyone who came.

 

Marilyn Harper