On Wednesday 25th September we welcome our very own Graham Thorpe for the fourth recital of our 2024 autumn season. In this edition of ‘Notes from an Organist’ we discover more about them, and what to expect from their recital including making time for music; recording with the Black Dyke Band; and playing the organ whilst dressed as Roald Dahl character!
Could you introduce yourself, how you got into music / become an organist and your musical journey to where you are today?
I grew up in Co. Durham and began playing the organ at school, having also been a pianist and trombonist. My 6th form was at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, where I was also Junior Organ Scholar at the cathedral. From there, I traveled to Guildford as Organ Scholar, where I stayed for two happy, formative years. I studied for my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in London, at the RAM and the RCM respectively, doing all sorts of freelance work alongside, everything from accompanying soloists and choirs, to playing at then synagogue, to adapting pop tunes on an organ Haydn played, while dressed as Fantastic Mr Fox… from London, I came to Bradford as ADoM, and took over as Director of Music last year.
What can people expect from your recital at Bradford Cathedral?
A varied programme – I’m planning to register the traditional Bach in a ‘Victorian’ way, gems such as Ketèlbey’s ‘In a Persian Market’ which I am adapting for the organ, and an enormously ‘Pedal Blues’ among others.
Why do you enjoy playing the organ?
The power, the sounds, the colours, the skill.
Do you have a particular favourite piece out of those you are playing?
Apart from the aforementioned Ketèlbey, I am actually really fond of the Chaminade Prelude. It’s quite straightforward, but beautifully crafted and allows me to register the organ in a ‘French’ style, which roughly means using lots of rich foundations. I came to it through the Bradford recital series – Hilary Punnett played it in her recent Bradford recital and I thought I couldn’t not play it!
This season’s theme is ‘The Town Hall Organ (Secular and Concert Repertoire)’. How are you reflecting this in your programme?
The repertoire I have chosen is perhaps a little lighter in style than what I often perform. It includes a number of arrangements/transcriptions which often formed a large part of town hall programmes. However, the point of any recital is to enjoy the music, and I think that the programme is enjoyable and good to listen to.
What are your personal hopes or plans musically for the rest of 2024 and into 2025?
I’ve decided this academic year to block out time each day in my diary for ’Something Musical’. Otherwise, it is just to easy to get drawn into unrelenting administration. I would like to learn Reubke’s Organ Sonata on 94th Psalm and make a recording of the Bradford organ.
As we began a new music year, what are you most looking forward to in 2024-25?
Hopefully, recording with the Black Dyke Mills band, and the introduction of professional lay clerks to the cathedral choir, who will work alongside our volunteers. With my choral society, Morley Music Society, I am also doing a come-and-sing Messiah, a Christmas concert with band, and working towards a joint St John Passion with the cathedral choir.
What were your highlights of the last year at Bradford Cathedral?
There were several: Christmas was the best musically in my five years; the choir tour to Northumberland; the end of year services, particularly Parry’s ‘Hear my words’, among others.
Finally, how would you sum up your upcoming recital at Bradford Cathedral?
Varied, fun, perhaps a little tongue in cheek.
You can join us on Wednesday 25th September at 1pm to hear Graham’s organ recital, with an optional £4 buffet lunch beforehand at 12:30pm. You can find out more about Graham on his website.
You can discover more about our organ recital season on our dedicated page.