This is
the title of a new CD of romantic organ music by Elgar
and Bairstow recorded here at St Matthew’s, and
performed by Callum Alger. Our magnificent 4-manual
organ by JW Walker was built in 1895 – the same year
Elgar completed his G major Sonata – and is the
ideal instrument for the interpretation of these works.
As many may recall, Callum was a chorister and organ
scholar here. He went on to study at the Royal
Birmingham Conservatoire and the Hochschule für Musik
und Theater ‘Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’ in Leipzig.
During the academic year 2019-20 he was Organ Scholar of
Westminster Cathedral.
Callum won first-prizes at the IAO/RCO Organ Playing
Competition (2018) and the Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen
Competition (2018), and was a finalist in the St Albans
International Organ Competition (2021). He is currently
Director of Music at St Peter’s Collegiate Church,
Wolverhampton.
Suffice to say he is one of the most promising organists
of his generation. The package is nicely produced, and
the quality of the recording is probably the best our
organ has yet received. Please do consider supporting
Callum – the CD is available from Presto Classical and
many other on-line stores. Available for download and
streaming shortly.
The Director of Music, Thomas Moore, is
looking to recruit BOYS from school year 4
to 7 and GIRLS from school year 5 upwards
who are keen to sing and eager to learn.