Rochdale Parish Church Organ recital – John Robinson

John Robinson RPC

Fantasmagorical was the title of one of the pieces performed by organist John Robinson at Rochdale Parish Church on Saturday 29 January and it sums up his recital well.

Currently Blackburn Cathedral’s Director of Music, John has performed in venues across the US and Europe and recorded extensively as well as leading choral festivals. A prize-winning Organ Scholar at St John's College, Cambridge he is also a Fellow of The Royal College of Organists. John also directs Blackburn Chamber Choir and Blackburn Music Society.

Previous appointments include Carlisle Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral and The King's School, Canterbury, and in the USA at St. Paul's Choir School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

John created an imaginative feast for organ aficionados as he made full use of the English Romantic instrument at St Chad’s. Originally built by Hill & Son in 1885, it has been rebuilt three times, in 1926 and 1959 by Harrison and in 2011 by Principal Pipe Organs.

John’s programme began with some bright and youthful JS Bach, followed by a suite based on plainsong by the earlier French Baroque composer, De Grigny.

Moving on in time we had a lilting Siciliene by Durufle, Alain’s dreamlike Fantasmagorie, and a virtuosic Toccata by Vierne. One of Whitlock’s reflective extemporisations led to Dubois’ witty March of the Three Kings, where the guiding star is signified by wedging down a top B throughout with a pencil! (don’t try this at home).

A majestic and commanding Symphonie 6 Final by Vierne rounded off a great exhibition of varied organ styles in the hands of a master.

Organisers Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association is exploring the rest of its regional territory whilst the Rochdale Town Hall instrument is out of use.

The programme for 2022 includes:

• 12 March - Royton, St Paul’s Church, OL2 5JS Samantha Poh (Blackburn Cathedral)
• 14 May  - Royton, St Paul’s Church, OL2 5JS Alex Palotai (Chester Cathedral)
• 3 September - Ashton-u-Lyne, Albion UR Church, OL6 6QQ David Pipe (Leeds Cathedral)

They will return on 8 October to Rochdale Parish Church with Philip Rushforth (Chester Cathedral) for the annual Brereton Memorial Concert.

All concerts will be run according to government and local permissions and safety recommendations; Saturdays at 3pm. Admission £8, or £6.50 for members and all concessions.

Dr Joe Dawson