Played by LILIAN COOMBES , F.R.C.O.
Organist and Director of the Choir, Brixton
Independent Church
Related from ST. MARY LE Bow
CECILIA BRENNER (Mezzo-Soprano)
Music has often been broadcast from the famous
City church of St. Mary-le-Bow, Chcapside. A true Cockney, so the old saying goes, is one bom within the sound of Bow Bells. But how many pcoplo-even among Londoners, if we except those who work in the immediate vicinity—are familiar with the quarter chimes of tho church ?
In this recital, not the bells themselves, but a new short piece of organ music by Godfrey Sceats based on the chimes, will be broadcast from Bow Church by Lilian Coombes , F.R.C.O. Miss Coombes is the organist of Brixton Independent Church, and she is earning distinction for the quality of her playing and of her programmes. Godfrey Sceats , of Forest Hill, is making notable contributions to the literature of the instrument. In addition to the Bell piece, the programme contains two other items by Mr. Sceats, whose style is modern and individual. All three works are unpublished, and have not been broadcast before.
More than one of his pieces, when included in the programme of an organ recital by Arno Landmaim in the Christus Kircho at Mannheim this year, were warmly received and earned appreciative comment from the German critics. (For the note on Bow Bells we are indebted to Dr. John Warriner. )