The Organ
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Included in the British Institute of Organ Studies’ register of historic instruments of importance to the national heritage, the 1915 three-manual St George’s organ is the largest instrument built entirely as new by Frederick Rothwell (1853-1944), best known for his work for Sir (Henry) Walford Davies at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and the Temple Church, London. The Rothwell patent console, with stop and combination keys placed above their respective manual to aid rapid changes in registration, is the earliest of the few survivors; it was restored by Bishop & Son in 2017.
Played by Roger Fisher, the organ was featured on the CD ‘Solemn Melody: A Tribute to Sir Henry Walford Davies’, selected in the Editor’s Choice of Gramophone, October 2001. In 2007 Australian virtuoso concert organist Thomas Heywood came to St George’s to record ‘Too Hot to Handel’, a CD of Romantic performances of the music of George Frideric Handel. To see Thomas Heywood playing The Rejoicing from Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks click here.
To see Thomas Heywood playing the Finale from Guilmant’s First Sonata for Organ click here. To see Thomas Heywood playing Lyadov’s A Musical Snuff-Box click here. |
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The Church Piano
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The St George’s Steinway D concert grand, made in Hamburg in 2001, was chosen and tended by Ulrich Gerhartz as the main performance piano at the London Symphony Orchestra’s LSO St Luke’s venue, opened in 2003. The instrument has been played by many of the world’s leading pianists. Always tuned and maintained by Steinway & Sons, it was fitted with new hammers in 2012. The piano was acquired by St George’s in 2015, with the inaugural concert performed by Steinway artist Margaret Fingerhut.
To see Lang Lang playing Spring Dance on the instrument at LSO St Luke’s click here.
To see Tobias Haunhorst playing Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto on the instrument at LSO St Luke’s click here. To see Colin Stone playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata on the instrument at St George’s click here. |
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The Hall Stage Piano
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The 6' 11" Yamaha S6 'premium' grand piano on the stage of St George's Hall was made in Hamamatsu, Japan in 2005. The model is a favourite of jazz pianists.
'It has exactly the right size of sound for what I do. At times I am not a gentle player, and this piano holds its tuning very well throughout an entire gig. When necessary you can really caress the S6 and coax very gentle sounds out of it. When it needs to hold its own amongst the clatter of drums and guitars it sings out powerfully. I play one on stage and in the studio – it’s my perfect piano!' – Jamie Cullum To see Martin Litton playing the piano in Brandyn Shaw and his 'Radio' Rhythm Makers' rendition of Faint Harmony click here. |
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