Pictures
Top: Dr.Adrian Clarkson works his magic on University lecturer Dr.Graham Cummings.
Right Top: Mirth from serial pie abuser Douglas Bell, with Michael Smith.
Right Centre: Stuart Scrutton and Philip Powell.
Right Bottom: William Kay and Michael Smith.

The concept was brilliantly simple. Take the magnificent church of St Bartholomew, "Cathedral of the Colne Valley", in its picturesque riverside setting on a warm summer evening. Add an expectant audience of some 40 Association and congregation members and friends, the renowned Binns organ, and its longstanding master and servant. Offer up a programme of pieces all starting with the letter "P". Serve a vestry supper in the middle, featuring marvellous local pork pies.

Before the playing started, Douglas explained his choice of music and the relationship between some of the pieces. He told us of Herbert Howells' first composition lesson with Charles Stanford. No talk of music; Howells was exhorted to examine the architectural facade of the building opposite. "Now go and write a string quartet, and come back next week", said Stanford. The quartet was duly criticised. "No windows in it - where are the rests?" Douglas illustrated great teaching by his own inimitable teaching style.

The programme was framed by two Howells pieces: the exquisite prelude Sine Nomine, an expression of beauty in sadness, and the majestic Paean, in which the full resources of the organ were displayed. Other works included Preludes by Vaughan Williams, Andre Fleury and Francis Jackson, a Partita by Flor Peeters and the extraordinary Priere of Joseph Jongen. This 'mega romantic music' gripped the soul with its passion and depth.

But for me the highlight was the penultimate piece, Jean Langlais' Paraphrase on 'Ave Maria, Ave Maris Stella. The twisting strands of ancient plainsong heard in a silent church as dusk fell created a haunting atmosphere, as of a great basilica. The playing of this carefully prepared programme was of the highest order and we are very grateful to Douglas for sharing some intimate music-making with us.