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Sorcerers and Apprentices
Collaborative organ performances
at Derby Cathedral by
Peter Gould, Tom Corfield, Christopher Johns,
Ben Bloor and Sachin Gunga
delight TONY WESTERMAN
Organ duets are an interesting spectacle, though the sight of five organists rushing between three instruments to perform Guilmant's Grand Choeur in D has to be quite the most unusual and entertaining performance of the work I have encountered. Peter Gould, the resident Master of the Music, and Tom Corfield, Assistant Organist, appeared in concert with three of their 'apprentices', Christopher Johns, Ben Bloor and Sachin Gunga, all of whom received their early training at Derby Cathedral and who have now moved on to places new to work magic of their own.
Two players on one organ console is not a happy arrangement: short keyboards; access to only one half of the stops, and an off-centre position over the pedals provide physical difficulties not experienced at the piano...
Copyright © 12 August 2011
Tony Westerman,
Derby UK
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