On Wednesday 23rd November 2022 we welcome Tim Hone from York for the next of this season’s organ recitals. Here we find out more about him including why he enjoys playing the organ, working at York Minster and hosting the Royal Maundy in Newcastle.
Could you introduce yourself, how you got into music / become an organist and your musical journey to where you are today?
For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to play the organ. That became a reality because of my piano teacher, who encouraged me as a pianist and musician, and then introduced me to Roy Massey, my first organ teacher. That led to an Organ Scholarship at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where I was fortunate to study with Gillian Weir, who guided those crucial years of musical development.
What can people expect from your recital at Bradford Cathedral?
I hope they will find that the music speaks to them and makes and excites them, moves them or they find it fascinating in some way. That’s what I aim for.
Why do you enjoy playing the organ?
I love the way in which I can use my fingers and feet to turn the musical score into sound. I love the fact that each organ offers new challenges and new possibilities.
Do you have a particular favourite piece out of those you are playing?
I’m looking forward to returning to Bach’s wonderful Fantasie and Fugue in G minor, which I haven’t played in a recital for a number of years.
Each recital this season includes a piece from The Orgelbüchlein Project – what was it like learning this piece / why did you pick that particular piece?
I’ve chosen a piece by the Dutch organist Jacques van Oortmerssen. It’s based on a chorale which is associated with a number of sets of words, but was originally a secular song from the end of the 15th century. I’ve decided to trace some of this journey in some early settings by Isaac, two settings by Brahms and then Oortmerssen’s fascinating setting, which is the musical equivalent of a mobile sculpture, rotating and catching the light in a random sort of way. I then play two other pieces by him, the second of which has a theme very similar to that in Dupré’s Cortège et Litanie, which follows. So a lot of the programme grows out of that one piece.
You are the Music and Liturgy Manager at York Minster. What does that role involve, and what do you most enjoy about it?
About twenty years ago, I made a mid-career move to a more administrative role, first at Salisbury Cathedral and more recently at York Minster. This allows me to use different skills and to support the musical and liturgical life of the cathedral in every way I can, while keeping my musical activity as separate part of what I do.
You’ve had several roles in Cathedrals – what have been your highlights?
So many of my highlights were from my time at Coventry Cathedral. I loved the building and the organ was the finest I have played on a regular basis. At Newcastle, hosting the Royal Maundy provided many lasting memories.
Finally, how would you sum up your upcoming recital at Bradford Cathedral?
A fascinating journey of discovery of some musical connections, bookended by masterpieces of Bach and Vierne.
You can join us on Wednesday 23rd November at 1pm for Tim Hone’s organ recital, with an optional £4 buffet lunch beforehand at 12:30pm.
You can discover more about our organ recital season on our dedicated page.