On Sunday I will be playing a short recital at St Stephen's Anglican Church, Richmond, as part of the annual Historic Organs of Richmond Hill promenade. This is my fourth year appearing in this series, which is always a good way to spend an October afternoon. Over the last three years I've descended the hill, having performed for the first time in the series at St Stephen's in 2011. There's a feeling of the grand old duke of York about having made it this far.
The promenade begins at St Stephen's at 3.00pm, moves to St Ignatius, and concludes at Richmond Uniting Church around 5.00pm, when there will be afternoon tea following the third recital.
The concerts highlight the work of the Richmond Churches Food Centre, an ecumenical initiative that provides supplementary food assistance to people living in many situations of need. Over the last twelve months distribution numbers have gone up considerably.
Here is my program for the first recital.
Sonata -- Jose Lidon
Jesus bleibet meine Freude from
Cantata 147 -- J.S. Bach
Fantasie et Fugue -- Alexandre P.F. Boëly
Andante con moto -- Alexandre P.F. Boëly
Handel in the Strand -- Percy Grainger (arr. W. Stockmeier)
Entry is by donation of cash or non-perishable food goods to the food centre. The three churches will be comfortable with the forecast fine weather for the weekend, but I'd strongly recommend bringing a cushion as the pews at St Ignatius were designed to bring you to your knees.
