Hilary Norris now works as a performer and teacher in Leominster, but is returning to St Mary’s Church, Northchurch, in Hertforshire, where she was Director of Music for three years from 1997, to give the opening recital in a series in aid of the organ repair appeal. Hilary was Organ Scholar at Keble College Oxford, and then won scholarships to go on to study with Jacques van Oortmerssen in Amsterdam. She has toured Sweden, Italy, Germany and Holland, and performs regularly in the UK, often on harpsichord or organ continuo. She is Director of Studies for the Diocese of Hereford Organists’ Training Scheme. She has very happy memories of her time at St Mary’s Northchurch, and is delighted to open the recital series. Full details of the recital at the end of this page. In the meantime, here are my five questions for Hilary:
Which piece of music are you studying at the moment and why?
I am studying Schmüke dich, O liebe Seele, BWV 654, J S Bach, because it is so beautiful and moving. Combining the movement needed in the left-hand with the ornaments in the right is a challenge. As ever, really understanding the pedal line is the key.
What has been your best experience as an organist?
I played the organ for the funeral of the mother of my closest friend. It was a sad, emotional but beautiful occasion. I took a risk with the final voluntary by playing a lovely, modern and up-lifting piece by Jesper Madsen. The family loved the choice of music and the atmosphere it created. I love the fact that as organists we have the opportunity to play music that has a real function. It is a responsibility, but also a privilege.
(NB Hilary will play two chorales by Jesper Madsen in the recital on Thursday)
What has been your worst experience as an organist?
I often accompany choral societies and I have performed Fauré’s Requiem many times. On one occasion I was playing on an organ with multiple problems. In the middle of the Pie Jesu the tuba stop popped out of its own accord!
What’s the best piece of advice you were given by an organ teacher? (and who was it?)
My first organ teacher, Trevor Tipple, advised me to spend as much time as possible listening to combinations of stops on unfamiliar organs before making any registration choices.
What would be your own best piece of advice for student organists?
I play with many chamber musicians. The best ones are always very familiar with the bass line and have strong opinions about how it should be played. As organists we have to create the feeling of a chamber ensemble or orchestra in much of the repertoire. Know the bass line and relate all decisions to this knowledge.
ORGAN RECITAL at St Mary’s, Northchurch to launch a recital series in aid of the Organ Repair Appeal
Thursday April 24th 2014, 7.30pm
High Street, Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, HP4 3QW
