Meekness and Majesty

'Meekness and Majesty' are words which succinctly describe sound of the historic pipe organ at Christ Church, Birkenhead.

This fine instrument was built in 1860 by ‘Father’ Henry Willis, the pre-eminent British organ builder who was also responsible for the renowned instruments at St George's Hall in Liverpool, St Paul's Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall in London.

With some 2,284 pipes - including a battery of majestic choruses, fiery reeds, colourful flutes and many beautiful quiet effects - the Christ Church organ is a rare, virtually unaltered survival of national importance. It remains a hidden jewel in the region's musical heritage, as yet known only to organ enthusiasts and worshippers at Christ Church.

In order to bring the organ to a wider public Paul Broadhurst, the organist here at Christ Church, has recorded a CD and DVD package. The choice of music is firmly in a popular vein and designed to exploit the huge range of the Willis tone colours. The programme includes Bach's famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Samuel Barber's Adagio, the Dambusters March and the theme from Housewives’ Choice!

The inclusion of the DVD gives a rare 'over the organist’s shoulder' insight into the physical experience of making music on such a large and vintage instrument.

This limited edition CD/DVD package is now  available. Priced at £10 including postage, it can be ordered direct from: Christ Church (Organ CD), Bessborough Road, Oxton, Birkenhead, Wirral CH43 5RW. Please make cheques payable to 'Christ Church Birkenhead' and allow 10 days for delivery.
 

The Programme

1     Toccata and Fugue in D Minor (BWV 565): Johann Sebastian Bach

2     Passagio: Ludovico Einaudi (arr. PB)

3     Elegy: George Thalben Ball

4     In Party Mood (Theme from Housewives’ Choice): Jack Strachey (arr. PB)

5     Largo (Double Violin Concerto): JS Bach (transcribed by Dom Gregory Murray)

6     Festive Music alla Handel: Sigfrid Karg-Elert 

7     Narcissus: Ethelbert Nevin (arr. PB)

8     Chorale Prelude 'Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ' (BWV 639): JS Bach

9     Palladio: Karl Jenkins (arr. PB)

10   Sicilienne: Maria Theresia von Paradis (arr. Charles MacDonald)

11   Adagio: Samuel Barber (arr. William Strickland)

12   The Pixies Out Hunting: Arthur L Brown (arr. PB)

13   The Dambusters’ March: Eric Coates

Total playing time 63:58 mins

Licensed from the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS)

Produced by Matthew Haslam and Paul Rees