"Father" Henry Willis built an organ for the Town Hall in Reading, England, in 1864, then enlarged and rebuilt it in 1882 for the much enlarged and remodelled hall. Very few changes occurred to the organ over the years, except that its pitch was changed in 1947. Now, a thorough restoration that is worthy of the term is complete after ten years, returning the organ entirely to its 1882 state, including reinstatement of the original pitch and total restoration of all of the original mechanical and tonal characteristics. The work was completed in late 1999 by Harrison & Harrison, and this recording was made in January, 2000, by the superb British organist Adrian Partington, with a program ideally suited to the organ. ANDREW CARTER: Trumpet Tune ANDREW CARTER: Aria for Organ MAX REGER: Phantasie über den Choral Wachet auf! EDWIN LEMARE: Intermezzo "Moonlight" WILLIAM WOLSTENHOLME: Toccata in B-flat MARK BLATCHLY: Variations on the Agincourt Song AARON COPLAND: Passacaglia SAMUEL BARBER: Variations on a Shape-note Hymn Wondrous Love HUGH BLAIR: Sunset Hour HUGH BLAIR: Postlude |