Joshua Simões - "It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to learn it. But I think it was worth it!"

Isabelle Demers - "This is an organ with a fiery personality and spiky stops. Definitely not your Grandma's old organ!"

In this episode of the PPS podcast, Charlie Brown speaks with Isabelle Demers in preparation for her performance on Saturday 28th September marking the end of another successful season of organ recitals at St John the Evangelist, Duncan Terrace in Islington, London. Listen as we hear from one of the world's most celebrated organists as she discusses her thoughts and reasons for her chosen music. In particular, we hear an interesting and moving personal insight concerning the important influence of the first piece's composer - Rachel Laurin - on Isabelle's life and work. Isabelle Demers plays across Canada and the United States and is regularly invited to play at the basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal. Her virtuoso piano technique and the fact that she plays all her repertoire from memory set her apart in the world of organists. She currently serves as professor of organ at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. With playing described as having “bracing virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review) and being “fearless and extraordinary” (Amarillo-Globe News), organist Isabelle Demers has enraptured critics, presenters, and audience members around the globe for her entrancing performances. Full information on this and other recitals can be found at⁠⁠⁠ [https://islingtonchurchconcerts.org/] Islington Church Concerts [https://islingtonchurchconcerts.org/] ⁠⁠⁠ [https://islingtonchurchconcerts.org/]Music Discussed: Sweelinck Variations - Rachel Laurin (1961-2023) Impromptu - Valentin Alkan (1813-1888) Prière - César Franck (1822-1890) The Moldau - Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884)  Music featured (played by Isabelle Demers): IV Toccata, Symphony No 1, Op 36 - Rachel Laurin https://open.spotify.com/track/3FqdTx10AeTY12LsGve1QO?si=31d74e45b4ef4495 Impromptu on a Choral of Luther, Op.69 (Un fort rampart est notre Dieu…Ein feste Burg) - Charles Valentin Alkan Featured in Pipedreams Podcast -https://www.pipedreams.org/episode/2022/10/24/a-reformation-festival Theme Music: Adrian Gunning Artwork: Cal Wilson

Charles Francis - "I've been listening to this organ for years on CDs so as an organist it's great to come to this space..."

In this episode of the PPS podcast, join hosts Charlie Brown and Adrian Gunning as they meet with Charles Francis while he practises at St John's, Duncan Terrace in preparation for his recital there on Saturday 27th July. Listen as we hear from a young organist who has already garnered a reputation as a soloist across the UK. His playing has earned him various notable accolades including First Prizes in both the IAO/RCO Organ Playing Competition (Edinburgh, 2022) and The Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Competition (Birmingham, 2019). Charles is currently studying at the Eastman school with Nathan Laube in the USA and we hear in this interview all about his transatlantic experiences. We also get a chance to hear him play short excerpts from the pieces featuring in his recital while sharing his thoughts and reasons behind his choice of music. Full information on this and future recitals can be found at ⁠Islington Church Concerts⁠ [https://islingtonchurchconcerts.org/] Music Featured: Cantata 29, “Wir danken dir”, BWV 29, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) * Sinfonia Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 664, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Organ Sonata No. 1, Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) * Mäßig schnell, Lebhaft * Sehr langsam * Phantasie, frei * Ruhig bewegt 12 Piéces pour Grand Orgue, Gaston Litaize (1909-1991) * Scherzo Suite pour Orgue, Op. 5, Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) * Prélude * Sicilienne * Toccata Theme Music: Adrian Gunning Artwork: Cal Wilson

Joshua Simões - "It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to learn it. But I think it was worth it!"

In this launch episode of the PPS podcast, join hosts Charlie Brown and Adrian Gunning as they go to St John the Evangelist Church, Islington London to meet with Joshua Simões while he practises for his recital there on Saturday 29th June. Listen to Joshua as he discusses the musical influences and people that have brought him to this point as an up and coming young organist. We also get a chance to hear him play short excerpts from the pieces featuring in his recital while sharing his thoughts and reasons behind his choice of music. Full information on this and future recitals can be found at Islington Church Concerts [https://islingtonchurchconcerts.org/] Music Featured: Choral-Improvisation on ‘Victimae Paschali’ Charles Tournemire (1870-1939) (arr. Duruflé) Dic nobis Maria WV51(Intabulation after Bassano) Heinrich Scheidemann (1595-1663) Prelude, Scherzo and Passacaglia op. 41 Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988) Prelude & fugue in D-sharp minor Otto Olsson (1879-1964) Ettrick Banks Judith Weir (b.1954) 'Le cri de l’abime' - The Cry of the abyss (from Quartième Esquisse) Thierry Escaich (b. 1965) Artwork: Cal Wilson Theme Music: Adrian Gunning