We have received a number of requests asking us to present music that our instruments would routinely play in a church context. So what better examples than well known and loved hymn tunes?
This year we are launching our new tutorial series called ‘Hymn of the Month’. So watch out for them each month.
This month we feature the well known hymn Angel Voices. As we move through the year we will feature seasonal Easter, Harvest and Christmas hymns. Jonathan’s much followed short tutorial videos (from our Jonathan Kingston series) will also continue but this year they will be played on one of our Regent Classic custom organs so in February you will see Jonathan once more giving tips on playing interesting pieces with a midi file and manuscript download.
“Angel Voices”
The tune chosen for this hymn is by George Monk who died at the age of 81 in 1900. A Somerset lad he achieved high office becoming the organist at York Minster in 1859 where he then served for 25 years. He retired to Oxfordshire.
I am sure any composer would be proud to claim this rousing and dignified tune that fits the text so well.
Jonathan introduces his own harmony variation to add to the fun of a typical final verse. This played on our Envoy 35-F which is a very popular church instrument.
More About Jonathan Kingston’s Musical Background
Jonathan studied the organ with Professor Ian Tracey and Ian Wells of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, home to one of the largest pipe organs in the world. He was appointed Organ Scholar, and subsequently Sub-Organist to Bradford Cathedral before securing positions as Assistant Director and Director of Music at two leading independent schools. He is currently Associate Director of Music at the Ordinariate Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Piccadilly.
Jonathan’s Work With Viscount
Jonathan works with us as our very own inhouse organist – he covers several areas from sales, demonstrations, voicing of instruments and performing. His playing features on the current promotional DVD material for Viscount, and he would be very pleased to hear from any churches or individuals requiring an engaging and lively recitalist. If you would like to connect with Jonathan directly, please feel free to follow him on Twitter (@jonkingston) or by email on jonkingston@hotmail.co.uk.
More About the Organ Being Played In This Tutorial
Jonathan plays this piece on our very own Envoy 35-F A ‘Physical Modelling’ based instrument with 35 stops in a real wood veneer cabinet. It has a huge internal library allowing the user to create 4 totally individual voice pallets from classic English through Baroque and Romantic. It benefits from a full complement of divisional thumb pistons and additional toe pistons. This organ also has a full 32 note pedal. For more information have a look at its specifications here.
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Viscount Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
