Capacity crowd listens to Jacob play the Willis
Wow! What a way to start our 2016 Grand Willis Pipe Organ Festival with a fabulous lunchtime concert by Jacob Collins.
The Church was buzzing even before a note had been played!
It’s always encouraging to see the audience arriving and it was a joy to see the children from the Church School coming and occupying the remaining seats – indeed, a packed Church, which we don’t get at every event.
Jacob plays the Willis organ
Anna welcomed the audience and explained that Jacob is ‘our Jacob‘ whom we have known from birth and seen grow up and be inspired to play the organ.
The audience showed their appreciation at every opportunity – including between movements!
Refreshments were available and the usual manner at our lunchtime concerts is that the audience can help themselves to teas and coffee during the recital. However, for Jacob’s recital everyone was glued to their seats until the end.
Using the Swell and Great
The music chosen by Jacob for his recital demonstrates the tonal and dynamic range of the restored organ. Assisted by Eleanor Page, Jacob entertained us with...
Leon Boellman – Suite Gothique
Marc Antoine Charpentier – Te Deum ‘Prelude’
Lois Vierne – Lied – from ‘Pieces en style libre’
Percy Fletcher – Festival Toccata
Felix Mendelssohn - Sonata VI – 1st movement
Charles-Marie Widor – Symphony V - Toccata
He played the gentler pieces with passion and he seemed to fly effortlessly through the Widor and at the end, Jacob received a standing ovation.
Jacob plays as Ellie watches
We wish Jacob every success in his studies at University and we look forward to hearing him play for us in the future. As the children went back to school I wondered whether some of them have been inspired to learn to play the organ as Jacob was and that perhaps in 10 years time or so, we may be sitting in the Church enjoying their performances on the organ.
Words by David Scrutton, photos by Anna Page
More photos can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78058413@N06/albums/72157672574524970
Thank you Jacob
Jane thanks Jacob afterwards
Happy volunteers
