Manor House organ inaugurated with memorable concert

l-r: Alessandro Romano, Patricia Hammond, Richard Hills, Peter Hammond and Fr Clive Lee.

A celebration took place last night at St Thomas More's Church, Manor House, north London, to mark the arrival of their beautiful vintage pipe organ. After a blessing from Parish Priest, Fr Clive Lee, there was a concert given by renowned international organist Richard Hills, along with two professional musicians: parish director of music, mezzo soprano Patricia Hammond and countertenor and flautist Alessandro Romano.

The event also included a talk by Peter Hammond of Taylor-Hammond Associates, who restored and installed the instrument. Built in 1936, the Compton organ had been lying in parts in a Scottish organ-restorer's workshop for 20 years before it was rescued for St Thomas More's, at the initiative of the parish, to replace an ageing electronic organ, as part of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the foundation of the church.

A packed church, with many first-time visitors as well as parishioners, heard the beautifully restored Compton Minitura organ put through its paces in a varied programme, spanning the sacred and secular repertoire of the last 300 years, from Bach to Eric Coates.

Organ restorer Peter Hammond explained that from the 1920s to the 1960s the London-based Compton company made organs to be installed in hundreds of different settings, from churches to concert halls and cinemas. The organs became especially associated with what was known as British Light Music, exemplified by such composers as Coates and Billy Mayerl, examples of whose accessible and cheerful style were given to last night's delighted and enthusiastic audience.

During the short blessing ceremony, parishioner Richard Solly read the prayer that was proclaimed at the re-opening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2024, equally appropriate for the reawakened instrument now proudly installed in Manor House, to grace its liturgies hopefully for at least the next 50 years.

"Wake up, organ, sacred instrument! Speak and sound the praises of God our Creator and our Father!

Organ, sacred instrument, celebrate Jesus, our Lord, who died and rose for us!

Organ, sacred instrument, sing to the Holy Spirit, who animates our life with the breath of God!

Organ, sacred instrument, lift our hymns and our supplications to Mary, the Mother of God!

Organ, sacred instrument, lead the assembly of the faithful in thanksgiving to Christ!

Organ, sacred instrument, bring the consolation of the faith to those who are in pain!

Organ, sacred instrument, support the prayer of Christians and accompany the prayer of little ones!

Organ, sacred instrument, proclaim the glory of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!"

Richard Hills is one of the UK's most exciting and versatile organists, celebrated for his dazzling performances and unique ability to blend classical and theatre organ traditions. A BBC Proms soloist and former Oxford scholar, he's performed internationally, won major awards and been heard on both BBC Radio 2 and Radio 3. His programme last night demonstrated many facets of this versatile instrument, both sacred and secular.

More pictures coming soon on ICN's Facebook page.

LINKS

St Thomas More's Manor House: https://parish.rcdow.org.uk/manorhouse/

Patricia Hammond: https://patriciahammond.com/

Richard Hills: www.stmarysbournest.com/music/richard_hills_organist/

Taylor-Hammond Associates: https://taylor-hammond.com/