The Ely Organ - A Centenary Celebration
AVAILABLE NOW ´The Ely Organ, A Centenary Celebration´. This double CD includes:
This release coincides with Ely Cathedral´s Organ Centenary Celebration 1908-2008.
Detailed information is available here.
"A cathedral organ is probably the most expensive piece of "hardware" in any cathedral. Simply to maintain it in good condition is challenge enough for any Dean and Chapter in this day and age".
"To have the opportunity to restore it any shape or form is a tremendous responsibility, and inevitably any rebuild will reflect the tastes of the time. The "old" organ in Ely cathedral, masterminded by my predecessor, Arthur Wills, did its job magnificently for a good many years, but the changes (which mainly affected the reeds – especially on the great and solo departments) proved necessary not just for aesthetic reasons, but also because any attempt to retain them was deemed in any case to be impractical. It was therefore felt important to record the instrument one last time before the rebuild, and those recordings comprise disc 1. There will be those who favour those sounds in preference to the new ones (and, of course, vice versa)! Those of us who play the "new" organ regularly (as represented by disc 2) find it a thrilling experience, and I seize the opportunity to thank Patrick Russill and Nicholas Thistlethwaite, our advisors, for their time and expertise." Paul Trepte - Director of Music, Ely Cathedral
April 10, 2008 (2:35PM)