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ORGANS of CAMBRIDGE WALKING TOUR : AUGUST 5th 2006
The third annual guided tour to organs in Cambridge by Anne Page and Professor
Paul Binski visited Clare, St John’s and Magdelene Colleges.
Although one of the oldest colleges in Cambridge, Clare Chapel is relatively
recent (mid eighteenth century) and its west gallery organ more recent still, an
austere 1971 baroque inspired instrument by von Beckerath, whose colours were
well displayed in JS Bach’s O Gott du frommer Gott variations. Even more in
keeping with the chapel, however, is the 1750s Snetzler chamber organ. Here our
guides for the afternoon combined in an arrangement of the Hallelujah Chorus
found by Anne in the University Library 9John Marsh, 1783). Those who missed it
– or those who may wish to hear it again by the same performers! – can relish it
played on the 1756 Snetzler organ at Hillington, Norfolk (www.bios.org.uk/npor
and click on Sound Archive > soundfiles available > Hillington).
St John’s Chapel is a contrast in style and size : the virtues of the large
English romantic organ, renewed by Mander in the 1990s, in Scott’s High
Victorian gothic chapel were heard in two short pieces by Carl Rutti and a
blazing performance of Widor’s popular toccata.
Finally, a further contrast. There is still something of the air of its
Benedictine foundation in Magdelene College – its intimacy, some of its 15th
century sets (the oldest continuously inhabited purpose built study chambers in
Cambridge) and the small chapel housing the newest in date but oldest in style
of the chapel organs visited, by Goetze and Gwynn. Two voluntaries by Boyce and
Buxtehude's Prelude, fugue and Ciacona demonstrated some of its colours.
The large attendance of this now established annual event (held as part of the
Cambridge Summer Recitals programme) enables the Academy’s work to reach a wide
and diverse audience. It also highlights Cambridge’s unique resources on which
the Academy can call.
  
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