Darlings, we went to see The Queen, and all because Thomas Trotter got himself double-booked. Thomas was due to teach us today here in Oxford. Then Buckingham Palace asked if he would kindly give his planned recital at St George’s Chapel – in front of HM The Queen, our Patron – also today. Not something you say no to, so to fill the gap in our timetable we all got official invitations, the RCO hired a bus, and off we all went to Windsor Castle.
The Queen wore apricot (our fashion correspondent writes) with a hat in a perfect matching shade to her coat – but she does have the best milliners in town. Her lady-in-waiting wore turquoise. We were all looking surprisingly gorgeous ourselves, having been held to a strict dress code of daytime smartness. However you could still tell you were in a room full of organists, though I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because we are all comfortable with ceremony – or just our generally pasty complexions from hours of squinting at Bach.
Thomas played brilliantly, completely at ease with the situation – which included a relay onto a large video screen right in front of Her Majesty. “However you might play it yourself, he convinces you that his performance is exactly how the piece should go” was a comment afterwards. His recital is just one of the RCO’s 150 for 150 challenge series – and you can join him. The College wants organists of all ages and abilities to sign up to a celebratory series of 150 recitals in this their 150th year. I’ve been told they are just 10 short of the total. Whether you are an international star or known only to yourself – find more information here.
UPDATE Thursday: This is a bit of a novelty for organists: we were considered important enough for a write up in the Daily Mail (with some nice pictures). But remember you read it here first.
The organ at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, has a long history and at one stage was rebuilt with two consoles which could be played both simultaneously and independently. When this mechanism started to fail in the 1960s Harrison & Harrison performed another rebuild, followed by further renovations and a new piston mechanism in 2002. Specifications can be found here.
A very special occasion for the RCO, and a treat to be at St George’s Chapel today. Wonderful especially for those who had passed their exams and been chosen to meet the Queen. It was also a proud moment for all women organists being represented and led by RCO President Catherine Ennis today.
Only two women Presidents in 150 years! – Catherine, and Dame Gillian Weir in 1994. I think we will see many more though, in the next 150 years.