Rochdale Parish Church Organ Recital - John Hosking

John Hosking

Whilst eagerly awaiting the restoration of its historic organ recitals at Rochdale Town Hall, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists’ Association (ORTOA), est.1908 has continued to bring its series of celebrity recitals to notable instruments throughout its patch.

The particularly fine instrument at St Chad’s Rochdale Parish Church was admirably demonstrated on 27 January by the eminent soloist John Hosking, organist in residence at Blackburn Cathedral. John also plays for BBC Radio 4's Daily Service. Prior to his present post, he was director of music at Holy Trinity, Southport following fourteen years at St Asaph Cathedral in Wales.

His varied and eclectic programme began with the grandeur of ‘Vom himmel hoch’ by JS Bach, followed by a haunting Andante sostenuto from Widor’s ‘Symphonie Gothique’.

Sets of variations by André Fleury, Philip Moore, and the wistful Prelude on 'Slane' by Hosking himself, gave a contemporary experimental and improvisatory feel to the concert.

A prize-winning graduate of the Royal College of Music, John held the organ scholarship at Westminster Abbey for an unprecedented three years, playing for royal and state occasions. So, the monumental ‘Fantasia on the National Anthem’ by CW Pearce, in this first year of Charles III, was timely and appropriate. Even more so, as mentioned by the ORTOA president, as this was on Mozart’s birthday, who famously described the organ as the "king of instruments."

Some would say John was saving the 'best' until last, 19th century composer WT Best that is, with Concert Fantasia on ‘Men of Harlech’ that made a rousing and triumphant finale. The fascinating use of orchestral colours from St Chad’s organ (originally by Hill & Son 1885) transformed it into a dramatic, symphonic tone poem.

The next ORTOA celebrity recital will be Gary Hulme at St Paul’s Parish Church, Royton OL2 5LA on 16 March 2024 at 3pm.

Dr Joe Dawson