Anne Page and Paul Binski play the Hallelujah Chorus arranged for two players by John Marsh (1783) at the re-dedication of the 1812 Thaxted Lincoln organ in September last year. The restoration (by Goetze & Gwynn) kept hand-blowing as an option, as you can see, though an electric blower is provided. Generations of bored locals who had been roped in to pump the organ during its long history (it came to Thaxted Parish Church in 1858) have left their mark on the casework – carving names, initials and dates while waiting for the next hymn. These have been preserved in the re-polishing of the case – see below.
There’s also a really good transcription of the Hallelujah Chorus for organ solo, by Robert Gower, in the Oxford Book of Christmas Organ Music. Goes down a treat at the end of the Christmas midnight service!
Thanks Nicky – as it happens I’ve just bought that book (with next Christmas in mind). It also contains the Lloyd Webber Interlude on Coventry Carol which is really lovely.
It also goes down a treat on Easter Day: played it after this morning’s service and the choir joined in, bless ’em!