MUSIC: Top organist performs in Burnley

Gordon Stewart is one of the UK’s most popular organists and has also played celebrity concerts in the Laurenskerk, Alkmaar, and at Symphony Hall Birmingham, Leeds Town Hall, Melbourne Town Hall, Pietermaritzburg City Hall and Johannesburg Cathedral.

His large repertoire means he can design concerts suitable for most organs and audiences. Playing regularly on the 1860 Father Willis organ at Huddersfield Town Hall, where he has been resident organist for over 20 years, he has built a large and enthusiastic following.

Gordon was, for 15 years, one of the regular conductors of the BBC’s long-running series “Songs of Praise”, and he has been musical director for broadcasts on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4. His programme from the Wanamaker Store in Philadelphia has been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and in the United States.

One of his reviews from Australia reads: “Gordon Stewart is a marvellously engaging performer. He almost literally runs onto the stage, and before he plays a note transmits a sense of energy, fun and anticipation. This touch of showbiz and the scattering about of funny stories prepares you to fully enjoy yourself. Gordon’s ‘show’ is very visual, but nothing of this style of delivery detracts from the seriously good musicianship of his performance.

“On the contrary, it energises and places in the mainstream an instrument which, certainly in the eyes of the young and the unchurched, can seem stuffy and dull ... Gordon Stewart is a vibrant and accomplished player, at one with his instrument and his audience, whom he delighted from beginning to end.”

The concert starts at 11 a.m. Admission of £5 includes refreshments, served from 10.30 a.m. There is free parking in church/school grounds.