Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Two provisos before we applaud this most enjoyable recital. The title gives us a warning: 'Encore!' This is an unashamedly popular collection of mainstream organ favourites which means there is a strong possibility that you already own other recordings of some of the content. "Fantasia and Fugue on Bach" by Franz Liszt, Norman Cocker's "Tuba Tune", and William Walton's "Crown Imperial" do not need any introduction from me. My other caveat is that the programme is not particularly religious (which is a comment and not a criticism). Other than Sigfried Karg-Elert's arrangement of "Nun Danket Alle Gott" there are no hymn tunes so if that is what you are looking for you need to go elsewhere. Those who take a keen interest in the many and varied instruments that are found throughout the land will be glad to hear this large romantic Hill, Norman and Beard organ (built 1933) in its resonant acoustic in the Chapel of the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook. It is played by Organist Emeritus Peter Crompton who was Director of Music at the school from 1984 to 2013 and who thus knows the instrument better than anyone. Crompton studied under Noel Rawsthorne at Liverpool Cathedral and includes one of his old master's pieces here, the moving "Celtic Lament". By contrast we get Gordon Balch Nevin's playful "Will o' The Wisp", Louis Vierne's evocative "Carillon de Westminster" and, in total, 12 pieces over a generous 75 minutes. If the provisos mentioned above do not put you off this is a most enjoyable collection.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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