The Organ Podcast

Mark O'Brien
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Organ Podcast

The Organ Podcast is a fortnightly show designed to inform and entertain organists and organ enthusiasts alike, including those who are simply curious and want to know more about this unique instrument and its music.   Episodes will feature interviews with leading UK and international organists, visit historic or little-known organs of interest, catch-up with organ rebuilds and restorations, and encounter a diverse mix of pipe organ related activities, news, discussions and initiatives from around the UK.   Presented by Mark O'Brien

  1. 11/15/2024

    Episode 20 - Donald MacKenzie plays the 5 manual Compton at the Odeon Leicester Square - Gordon Stewart looks back on his 50 year career

    Donald MacKenzie showcases the historic Compton organ at the Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square. As one of Europe's leading theatre organists and accompanist of silent films, Donald demonstrates the art of film improvisation and brings to life the history and rich tradition of the cinema organ. Donald MacKenzie Odeon Organ Specification - NPOR The Musical Museum Brentford Gordon Stewart looks back on his long career as an international recitalist, conductor, broadcaster, town hall...

    55 min

  2. 11/01/2024

    Episode 19 - Completing Bach's Orgelbüchlein with William Whitehead & Rediscovering Victorian organs with Tom Bell

    William Whitehead talks about his major international project aimed at completing Bach's Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book) - The Orgelbüchlein Project. With 118 missing chorale preludes, where only the chorale titles have been penned by Bach, William plays examples of the newly finished compositions which he has commissioned from leading composers all over the world. Orgelbüchlein Volumes & Scores William Whitehead Tom Bells reveals his passion for English Victorian organs as he demons...

    1 hr

  3. 10/15/2024

    Episode 18 - The Organ Reform Movement - what was it all about? Ben Bloor reflects on the pros and cons of using social media to promote the organ and engage with audiences

    William McVicker talks about the impact and legacy of one of the most significant revolutions in organ design - the Organ Reform Movement. Explaining the historical context out of which the movement grew (lead by German polymath and organist, Albert Schweitzer), William demonstrates the musical results at the console of a 1968 German-inspired reform organ at the church of Our Lady of Dolours, in London. William McVicker Organ of Our Lady of Dolours (NPOR) Ben Bloor, Organist at the Londo...

    49 min

  4. 10/01/2024

    Episode 17 - Liverpool Cathedral's new Echo division with Ian Tracey - St Paul's Cathedral's Organ Education Lead Jeremiah Stephenson on how to encourage children to engage with the organ

    In this episode Ian Tracey, Organist of Liverpool Cathedral, demonstrates the newly installed Echo organ and showcases the extraordinary sounds and power of the UK's largest pipe organ. With a total of ten divisions, located in organ cases around the cathedral, this new echo organ completes the tonal design of the organ, which began in 1923 under the craftsmanship of Henry Willis III, and the cathedral's first organist, Harry Goss-Custard. Liverpool Cathedral Organ Specification Jeremiah ...

    59 min

  5. 09/15/2024

    Episode 16 - Manchester Cathedral’s Tickell Organ - New discoveries in Cesar Franck’s music

    In this episode, Richard Brasier talks about some of the startling discoveries he made whilst researching for his new edition of the organ and harmonium works of Cesar Franck. He also plays an unpublished work by Franck for the first time. After five years' work, having studied previously lost manuscripts, Richard explains the approach to registration and performance based on historic evidence and the organs Franck played. https://richardbrasier.com/education/cesar-franck/ Christopher Stok...

    56 min

  6. 09/01/2024

    Episode 15 - A tour of Harrison & Harrison's workshop with Head Voicer Andy Scott - Katelyn Emerson talks about her concert career and musical approach to the organ

    In this episode, Harrison & Harrison Head Voicer and Managing Director, Andy Scott, takes Mark O'Brien on a tour round the workshop in Durham to highlight the importance of apprenticeships in sustaining the skill and craft of organ building. Andy also talks about his experience at Harrison's, having started as an apprentice himself, aged 16, before becoming London Tuner, Head Voicer and Managing Director. Harrison & Harrison International concert organist, Katelyn Emerson, talks abo...

    1h 1m

  7. 08/15/2024

    Episode 14 - Music therapy and the pipe organ - The organ at the West London Synagogue

    In this episode, Mark O'Brien visits the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, where the recent restoration of a 1938 Robert Spurden Rutt pipe organ has opened the door to the instrument being used for therapeutic purposes and wellbeing. Mark talks to a Consultant Neurologist about the therapeutic qualities of music and the possible use of the hospital pipe organ - and hears the organ being used by Christopher Batchelor, a former managing director of Harrison and Harriso...

    45 min

  8. 08/01/2024

    Episode 13 - Pipe Organ Rescue with Martin Renshaw and Pipe-up - Katherine Dienes Williams on pressures facing cathedral organists

    In this Episode, Mark O'Brien joins Martin Renshaw, from the organ charity, Pipe-up for Pipe Organs, as he and a team of volunteers remove an organ from a closed-down Baptist chapel in Hertfordshire. Mark also has a look around Martin's warehouse, where several historic organs are lying in storage, waiting for a new home in the UK - or about to be transported to Europe. Pipe Up for Pipe Organs Katherine Dienes Williams talks about her role as President of the Cathedral Organists' Associatio...

    47 min
See All (21)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The Organ Podcast is a fortnightly show designed to inform and entertain organists and organ enthusiasts alike, including those who are simply curious and want to know more about this unique instrument and its music.   Episodes will feature interviews with leading UK and international organists, visit historic or little-known organs of interest, catch-up with organ rebuilds and restorations, and encounter a diverse mix of pipe organ related activities, news, discussions and initiatives from around the UK.   Presented by Mark O'Brien

Information

  • Creator
    Mark O'Brien
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Organ Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Organ Podcast

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