A musical evening at All Saints Church Bramham

with Simon Noble & his special guest Sybella De La Fontaine.

 

As we left the darkness of the early evening outside and entered the brightly lit Church, we became aware of a comfortable ambience; beautiful floral decorations provided a welcoming background of groups of people conversing as they prepared for the start of what promised to be an extremely enjoyable concert. We were not to be disappointed. Simon started the evening by asking us to sing ‘The day thou gavest, Lord is ended,’  and then he took us through a wonderful selection of toe tapping marches followed by slower more thought provoking melodies. We were then treated to the lovely voice of Sybella De La Fontaine, our guest vocalist for the evening, whose rich Mezzo Soprano voice, clear diction and  lovely smile was a joy.

 

The evening continued as Simon gave us the benefit of his skills on the piano, followed by a rousing performance on the organ of music from the Royal Fireworks by Handel, which was accompanied by real fireworks from the village!

 

During the interval, with a supper of light bites, fruit juice and wine, people from both parishes were able to talk to each about the evening, other interests in common and with Sybella who joined us for the intermission.  

 

In the second half of the programme, Simon treated us to an eclectic selection of more delightful music on both

 

the organ and piano.  He then accompanied Sybella as she sang Pie Jesu and Ave Maria in her rich clear voice filling the Church with sacred music.  To finish Simon further demonstrated the range of the organ by playing a March from Handel’s ‘Lift up your Heads’.

 

Truly an evening to remember.  We are very grateful to Simon, Sybella and the Bramham parishioners who donated the proceeds of the evening to the Organ Restoration Fund.

Liz Etherington

 

All Saints, Bramham has a three manual and pedal organ built by Messrs. Andrews of Bradford in 1906 for a large Methodist Church in Darlington. It was acquired for All Saints in the late 1970’s when the Methodist church sadly closed. It boasts 1,419 pipes, 27 speaking stops and 10 couplers, and its operation is electro-mechanical. Your Webmaster was particularly impressed with the organ’s tremulant, which Simon used to great effect when he played his novelty pieces and selections from the musicals Oliver and the King and I. To those who enjoy the sound of a theatre organ this was pure delight!