September / October 2011 Number 26 Derby & District Organists' Registered Charity No. 510567 Association

DDOA Events 2011

24th September Outing to Oakham churches and Peterborough Cathedral.

24th October Composers’ workshop with Paul Fisher

22nd November Chairman’s Event and AGM Concerts & Recitals Saturday 3rd September, 7.30 pm St.John the Evangelist, Derby Chris Johns (Director of Music at Leicester Cathedral)

Friday & Saturday 9-10th September, 1-5 pm English Heritage Open Day at St Andrew’s PC, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield Displays, talks, tours and demonstration of the historic Holt organ recently restored by Ed Stow

Wednesday 21st September 7:30pm Organ Recital by Malcolm Archer (Winchester College) on the 1867 Holdich Organ. Hinckley United Reformed Church, The Borough, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1NL Admission £8:00 Under 18s Free Musical Life in a Royal Castle Thursday 29th September, 12.15pm Organ Scholar Ben Bloor at Windsor Chesterfield Parish Church Organ recital by Peter Williams Works by Bach, Travers, Alain, Gigout, Observers of the Derby organ To the main business of making Vierne & Mathias scene will instantly recognise the music, Ben soaked up most of his daylight hours either practising, organist in our cover picture this Saturday 8th October, 7.30 pm. rehearsing or performing. month. Ben Bloor has been a Harvest Concert presented by David Satisfying his appetite for learning rising star since his days as a Wells. Radbourne Church chorister and Organ Scholar at new music, whether Derby Cathedral and during the accompaniments for choral works th past year has been living in or free organ works, was a daily Weekend 29-30 October Windsor Castle where he has been preoccupation. On the day that Festival at St Oswald’s, Ashbourne, celebrating the newly restored organ. Organ Scholar at St George’s we visited, he was putting the Saturday 2-5: Exhibitions & activities. Chapel. Ben kindly invited my wife finishing touches to a Rheinberger 7.30 pm Choral concert with Peter and me to visit him earlier this sonata and Stanford in G Mag. and Harrison (Clare College, Cambridge) year and we spent a delightful Nunc ready for Evensong later that Sunday 2.30 pm Opening Recital by morning with a young man who afternoon. Ben lived in one of the Paul Hale (Southwell Minster). was clearly living his dream. cluster of apartments known as Living within the castle itself was the ‘Horseshoe Cloisters’ within Recitals at the Albert Hall, very near the top of Ben’s list of the western wall of the castle. Nottingham things that he really loved about Essential equipment in his three- Sundays at 2.45pm. Free admission his appointment and we room flat was of course a piano, th appreciated very much his guided half buried under several piles of 4 September – (BBC) tour of the State Rooms which he music. His neighbours were 2nd October – Daniel Moult (London) conducted with relish. mostly lay clerks of the choir and 30th October – Carlo Curley [Anniversary Ben spoke warmly of the friendly Recital – Admission £8] tight-knit community there, indeed, finest Harrison organs and, of he offered the opinion that the course, living in a royal castle! strong bonds within the community My wife and I are very grateful created teamwork which so to Ben for sparing a morning with benefitted the quality of music us amidst a hectic schedule, just a making. few days before the Royal Garter The weekly round of services at service, when the Queen would the Chapel was very similar to that definitely be present. of a typical cathedral; three Laurence Rogers services on Sunday, four full choral evensongs on weekdays and a lay clerks’ evensong on Saturday. Ben Recent Events shared about 50% of the playing with the Assistant Organist, Visit to organs at Newton Richard Pinel. He declared that he Solney and Willington had learnt so much about his art from Richard and described his Parishioners at St Mary’s, playing of Bach as “sublime”. The Newton Solney turned out in Director of Music, Timothy Byram- strength to welcome members to their church on a June evening. Wigfield, played occasionally, but in Ben at home in Windsor Castle the main was ‘directing’, as his title Although rather tucked away in This has been a fruitful year for dictates. These were key people in the north aisle, the organ was a Ben expanding his repertoire. His mentoring Ben and their trust and delight to the eye and ear. For its previous experience at Derby confidence in him was apparent small size, the two- Cathedral had given him a demonstrated by the numerous manual Bevington had a lovely grounding with a whole range of opportunities he was given to take range of resources, including two service settings which stood him in responsibility. At the time of our reeds and a on the Swell. good stead at Windsor, so much so meeting he had already conducted Playing members demonstrated its that he has been able to devote the lay clerks on several occasions versatility with a variety of more time to learning free organ and was shortly to conduct the full baroque and romantic pieces. works. He greatly appreciated the choir at an evensong. Each amount of spare time he had for Another warm welcome awaited morning he was on regular duty at practice – much more than when us at St Michael’s, Willington. 6.30 am in St George’s School, he was still at school and, in all Here the instrument spoke boldly supervising the instrumental probability, more than when he will into the small church with a power practice of junior choristers before begin university studies in the that easily matched the needs of a breakfast. He related how valuable coming Autumn. He described the rather dry acoustic. In particular this experience was in establishing Harrison organ as a wonderful we enjoyed the sweet tones of the a rapport with the boys in the choir instrument and briefly flutes, but David Shooter’s context and recognised its value in demonstrated this to us with the rendering of ‘How great thou art’, the subtle art of communication opening bars of the Bach G minor with octave couplers blazing, which any choir trainer must Fantasia. Although the instrument stirred unanimous approval. As at acquire. bristles with modern electronic our first venue, there was a very He was very keen to dispel the aids, Ben prefers to friendly atmosphere with much myth once propagated by a local meet the challenge of manual stop comradely banter. We are newspaper headline that he “plays changes so that he can more easily grateful to our member Dorothy for the Queen every day”. In truth handle registration on less Cope for helping with the he had played for the Duke of sophisticated organs. Fortunately arrangements. Edinburgh, but the visits of the he has a good memory for Laurence Rogers Queen and Duke to the chapel registrations. He has made a point were occasional rather than regular of developing this manual skill occurrences. especially in accompanyingStephen Johns psalms, aiming to play every verse with a different registration. Originally it was Peter Gould’s suggestion that, having already secured an organ scholarship to study at New College, Oxford, Ben should take a ‘gap’ year to gain a broader musical experience before taking up academic study. Ben was very grateful for this advice and feels that the experience has made him a better all-round musician. Ironically, ‘gap’ seems the complete opposite of what Ben has experienced this year – a life brimming full of music-making with a wonderful choir, congenial A basement for Ben, but rooms with a view colleagues, one of the country’s Beautifully decorated facade at Newton Solney 2 IAO Congress 2011 perhaps envied a little their gallery organ speaking boldly into a community pride in cultural cavernous acoustic; on the other Since the first IAO Congress in achievements. One such example hill, a squat medieval cathedral 1920, this was the first year the was the St.Peter’s Cathedral (St.Patrick’s again, but this time annual event has been held in Schola Cantorum Boys Choir whose Church of Ireland), with a superbly Northern Ireland. For many of us sublime singing, directed by Nigel refined organ in two sections facing attending it provided an exciting McClintock, echoed around the each other across the chancel. The opportunity to explore a land of dome of the Belfast City Hall. recital in the former cathedral was organs where tourism has been given by three young men aged 21, inhibited by politics for too many Each venue offered an experience 15 and 12 who gave accomplished years. What we found was a of unique personality in terms of performances of works by Bach, vibrant organ scene; amazing players, instruments and Franck, Howells, Boëllman and instruments in beautiful cathedrals programmes. The mighty William d’Atanlffy. In the latter cathedral and churches and a community of Hill organ at the glorious Ulster David Adams gave us beautifully organists justly proud of their Hall was the perfect instrument for crafted performances of less heritage and achievements. a performance of a transcription of frequently heard works by Liszt, Beethoven’s Egmont Overture by An action-packed programme Stanford, Alain, Litaize and Colm Carey a brilliant player who took us to no less than eight Duruflé. later gave an inspiring masterclass cathedrals in five days, treated us on another Hill organ in St.Thomas’ On following days visits to to twelve recitals, a masterclass, Church where we heard the Elgar Londonderry and Dublin each civic receptions at Stormont Sonata. These organs were in included memorable recitals by Castle, Belfast City Hall and Palace complete contrast with the world-class players, Desmond Desmesne in Armagh, a visit to the Snetzler gallery organ and the Hunter, Gerard Gillen and Peter Giant’s Causeway on the north chamber organ (1795) in Barley. Space prevents us from coast, and a whole Sunday south Hillsborough Parish Church, a printing more details, but the of the border in Dublin. fascinating building containing high accompanying photographs give a Everywhere we travelled we were box pews which were tiered in the taste of the splendid organs on welcomed extremely warmly by transepts. Here we were given an offer. Overall we enjoyed a rich local priests, organists and church equally fascinating lecture recital variety of organs, music and folk. As if conscious that mainland on early English keyboard music by players, framed within a Britain only seems to receive bad Professor Desmond Hunter. meticulously organised schedule, news from Northern Ireland, locals and it was a special pleasure to enthusiastically demonstrated that In Armagh we were treated to meet local organists who were normal life there is full of cultural two cathedrals facing each other unanimous in welcoming visitors to riches. We came to admire more on adjacent hill tops. Again the their homeland. and more the spirit of people who contrast was impressive: the lofty had rebuilt churches and organs gothic edifice of the RC cathedral Denis Littleton & Laurence Rogers damaged during the Troubles and (St.Patrick’s) with a western

St Peters’s Cathedral, Belfast Ulster Hall, Belfast

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh

St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry Christ Church, Londonderry Schola Cantorum in Belfast City Hall Hillsborough Parish Church 3 The Gratians - Belper’s Organ Building Family - Rodney Tomkins

Prologue dissenting congregation having It is well known that Joseph been founded in 1672 by the Gratian, an organ builder (perhaps ejected vicar of Mickleover). “organ installer and maintainer” Following the construction of might be a better way of describing Strutt’s mill the community him) flourished in Belper and Derby entered a period of seminal during the first half of the 19th growth, its population of little over century. Instruments with which he 500 rising to about 4,500 by 1801, is known to have been involved making it, within the County, include St. John’s, St. Peter’s, the second only in size to Derby. Congregational chapel and the During the remaining years of the Wesleyan chapel, all in Belper, eighteenth century Belper together with the parish churches witnessed a building construction of Eastwood and Sandiacre. The boom. The Wesleyans built their only known survivor of any of these first chapel in 1777 (to be replaced is a 1-manual instrument by by the present, larger one in Alexander Buckingham, dated 1807). In 1788 Jedediah Strutt 1825, which formerly stood in built the Unitarian chapel (still in Derby St. Alkmund’s. It was existence, albeit enlarged) and the removed (probably by Gratian) in Independents (Congregationalists) 1844, prior to demolition of the replaced their old meeting house original mediaeval St. Alkmund’s with a new one in 1790. New church, and acquired by Belper Geoffrey Gration (of Littleover, Derby) at the housing, the best surviving Wesleyan, where a new chamber Awsworth Methodist organ, an instrument examples of which are the three- was provided for it. According to bearing the initials of his great-great grandfather, storeyed terraced houses of Long the records Gratian continued to the Belper organ builder, Joseph Gratian Row, was provided by Strutt in service it during the 1850s. This 1792 for his workers, while the organ was later moved on to The Belper Scene and the Chapel Street end of the town saw Kilburn Wesleyan and, later still, it Gratian Family Background the construction of Brettle’s hosiery ended up at Awsworth Methodist, In 1724 Daniel Defoe could write mill in 1797 on a site adjacent to where it survives to this day, that Derbyshire was “perhaps the the Wesleyan chapel. having been carefully restored by most desolate, wild and abandoned Peter Bumstead (of Ipswich) in the county in all England”, while yet early 1990s. another writer, The Revd. D. P. With help from Mrs. Siann Hurt I Davies, claimed that “prior to the had carried out a certain amount of year 1776, Belper was as low in research on Joseph Gratian for my population as it was backward in little 2003 book, “Belper Parish civility”. What is beyond doubt is Church and its Organs”, but there that 1776 was a turning point in the matter had stopped. Imagine Belper’s history, for it was in that my surprise and excitement when, year that Jedediah Strutt built his towards the end of 2009, a direct first great mill by the river descendant of our organ builder Derwent, and thereafter Belper Wesleyan Chapel, Belper turned up here in Belper. Geoffrey never looked back. It was in the midst of all this Gration (note modern spelling of Belper, in the earlier part of the entrepreneurial excitement that name), resident in Littleover, had, eighteenth century, had been no Joseph Gratian was born, the with the help of Ms. Pat Haldenby, more than a hamlet within the second child of Richard Gratian, a been carrying out his own family large mediaeval parish of Duffield. joiner, and Hannah Tonks, who research and had discovered the Its religious needs were served by were married at St. Peter’s, Derby, link with Joseph Gratian of Belper. the small chapel of St. John-the- in 1777. Joseph’s baptism was He had come to Belper to see if Baptist; from 1721 there was also recorded on 5 May 1786 as having any traces of his ancestor’s work an Independent meeting house (a been at All Saints, Turnditch (at were to be found. Through the that time, like St. John’s, a offices of various good friends he chapelry within Duffield parish). He and I eventually made mutual lived nigh on eighty years and contact and we have been able to married twice, both of his wives share information and visit the (confusingly) being called Sarah. organ at Awsworth where Geoff was overjoyed to find his Duffield parish records from the ancestor’s name scratched on some early 17th century onwards show internal panelling. All this has numerous references to the name spurred me once more to motivate of Gratian, or its more commonly my typing fingers and continue the adopted later spelling of Gration. story from where I left off. What is more, a glance at the St John-the-Baptist Chapel, Belper current Derby and District Phone 4 Book still shows over twenty they in their turn had seven years of age, and both the instrument entries bearing the name (all with children of whom the second, born and the Performance gave great the later spelling). in 1784, was Joseph, the main satisfaction to a crowded congregation”. subject of our interest. Much research into the family, In local press parlance then (as who appear to have been owners of now) a “new” organ could imply a considerable amount of land Joseph Gratian (1784-1863), anything from a second-hand during the 17th century in the area Organ Builder of Belper transfer or rebuild to a totally new between Chesterfield Road and the Joseph’s first marriage, to Sarah creation. In this instance a transfer present A6, has been carried out Riley, was recorded in Duffield would seem the most plausible by local historians for the Belper parish register on 31 May 1807. A interpretation. There are no clues Research Website. The earliest daughter, Charlot (sic!), was born as to the provenance of this identifiable ancestor was a Richard in July 1808 who, as we shall see instrument, but a reasonable Gratian who died some time before later, was something of a musical hypothesis is that it may have been 1634. He was followed by George performer. There followed up to the reputed 7-stop Snetzler (noted (born before 1624). Next came 1830 a further seven children. In by Sperling) that found its way into Richard, Joseph’s great-grandfather the earlier baptismal records he is St. Peter’s following completion of who, having had five children with described as a “nailer” (the cottage that building in 1824 and the baptism dates from 1697 to 1710, industry of nail-making being appointment of Thomas Mawkes as must himself have probably been common in Belper at the time) its first organist in 1831. We can born c1670s. He married Elizabeth though in the case of the last two only guess that it may have been (who must have died) and then he is referred to as “musician”. His Gratian who carried out this Hannah. address was variously given as transfer. The last of these five children Chapel Street or Gratian’s Lane A further instrument dating from (baptised 1710) was another (the latter, though no longer Joseph Gratian’s Belper period was Richard, grandfather of Joseph. He existing, apparently being off another “new” organ (according to was described by the later Chapel Street, adjacent to the “Derby Mercury), this time in American organ-building branch of Wesleyan Chapel). Eastwood Church, in 1828. the family as being “eminent in the By 1835 Pigot’s trade directory Of the children from this first musical world of England from entered him as “organ builder . . . . marriage, we hear nothing more 1740 to 1760”. We can, however, Chapel Street, Belper”. It was no about their first child, the find nothing yet to substantiate this doubt through the example of his prodigious “Charlot” (as the Belper seemingly wild claim! father’s skill in woodwork coupled Wesleyan register spells her) who, In 1751 Richard married Mary with his own in ironwork (as a at the age of ten, had performed to Yates at St. Alkmund, Derby. They nailer) plus his musical interest such remarkable acclaim in 1818. had six children of whom the that he was led into the rapidly The last two offspring, however, second, baptised in 1754, was yet booming market for church and were Thomas (baptised 1827), another Richard. He, as we have chapel organs – though, with his whose descent we can now trace seen above, married Hannah Tonks no doubt amateur training, this down to the present day in the in 1777 at St. Peter’s, Derby and work is hardly likely (in spite of person of Geoffrey Gration (Derby), press reports) to have involved and Joseph (born 1829) who, as anything as complex as building a we shall see later, emigrated to new instrument from scratch. America where he founded a large Gratian’s first known appearance organ-building company. on the Belper organ scene is in a To be continued. news item from “Derby Mercury” Editor’s note: on 8 October 1818 which reads: This is the first of three instalments “On Sunday last, at the Established of Rodney’s history of the Gratians Church, Belper (i.e. St John’s Chapel, at of Belper. The complete story will that date), a new Organ (built by J. be available to members in 2012 as Gratian, musician of that place) was a 12-page booklet. St Alkmund’s, Derby. c.1750 opened and played by his daughter, 10

Grand Choeur at Derby Your newsletter Cathedral I am grateful to Rodney Tomkins The sight of five organists playing for his authoritative contribution Guilmant’s ‘Grand Choeur alla on local heroes in the organ world. Handel’ was the climax of a Please help me maintain a good spectacular home talent recital in local focus in future issues by the Summer recital series at the sending local news or stories, or cathedral this year. In our next by suggesting personalities whom newsletter Tony Westerman will I might interview. As the holiday offer an overview of the series season draws to a close, please which has become a landmark in send stories or just snippets of the local organ calendar and your encounters with organs or happily continues to attract organists which would make excellent audiences. interesting reading for members. Editor 5 Forthcoming DDOA Meetings Annual Outing 24th September Composers’ Workshop Visit organs At Oakham School Chapel, Oakham presented by Paul Fisher Parish Church and Peterborough Cathedral 24th October 7.3.0 pm Three splendid organs are on offer this year: New at Duffield Methodist Church instruments built by Peter Collins and Kenneth It is some years since we last had a composers’ event, so Tickell at Oakham, and the restored Hill organ at we are pleased to welcome Paul Fisher, a composer of Peterborough. Local organists will introduce the organ and choral music who will be talking about and instruments and then allow members to play. playing some of his works. In the second part of the meeting Paul welcomes the participation of members who As well as booking a place for yourself, please give would like to present one of their own compositions. publicity amongst friends in your locality who Composing can be a fairly solitary activity and Paul is would enjoy visiting a beautiful market town and happy to discuss members’ work in the spirit of mutual one of our finest cathedrals. In recent years the support. If you would be prepared to play the organ or outing has successfully attracted additional guests bring a recording on CD for discussion, please let Stephen who not only add to the social mix, but also help to Johns know. share the transport costs. Cost: £15 per person. Paul is a native of North Worcestershire who worked for 8.30: Coach Departs from Derby Council House 8.40: Pick up passengers at Church Lane, Darley Abbey 30 years as an ordained minister in the Church of 10.00: Arrive at Oakham School Chapel England before taking early 'retirement' to live in the 11.15: Walk to Oakham Parish Church Yorkshire Dales and concentrate on music, art, climbing 12.30: Lunch in Oakham town centre. (Good choice of eating places for members’ own arrangements) and hill-walking. A piano diploma holder from the (then) 2.00: Coach departs from Oakham Birmingham School of Music and Royal College of Music, 3.15: Arrive at Peterborough Cathedral Paul began serious organ studies and composition about 3.30: Evensong 8 years ago, studying performance with Stephen Layton, 5.00: Meet Cathedral Organist, Andrew Reid 6.30: Depart from Peterborough Anne Marsden Thomas, Gerard Brooks and currently with 8.30: Arrive in Derby Kevin Bowyer. Paul composes mainly for the organ, but To book places, please return the booking has also written some other instrumental works and form accompanying this newsletter. choral music. His music is inspired by encounters with people, and by events and celebrations, the natural world and spirituality. Humour and passion in music is very important to him. A list of his works can be seen on Members’ News www.paulfishermusic.co.uk We are delighted to welcome a new member, Dr Martin Firth, who has recently moved from the Bristol area to Matlock.

DDOA - Your Association Children and the Organ NEWS Members who take the Organist’s Review will have been delighted to see the inclusion of Laurence’s article about our work, alongside reports of other educational ventures by local Associations. A big ‘thank you’ to Laurence. Also to John Hobbs who is making approaches on our behalf to some Primary schools. This is extremely helpful. Please consider doing the same yourselves. Personal contacts are without doubt much more effective than emails and phone calls to busy headteachers. Cof E schools are particularly good bets of course because of connections to a church. If you get a promising response, let me know. Outline information about what we do is, of course, on the website which David Shooter keeps up to date. Stephen Johns

Items of news or articles for the November/December edition of the should reach the Editor by Monday 17th October, either via e-mail: [email protected] or by post: Dr Laurence Rogers, 24 St.David’s Crescent, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 4SS. The Secretary, Stephen Johns, may be reached via [email protected] Please visit the DDOA Website www.derbyorganists.co.uk for information about Association activities, past editions of the newsletter, photo gallery and many special features of local interest. www.derbyorganists.co.uk 6