10-Stanford and the revival of Church Music from St. Mary's, Taunton
This series of programmes is designed to show the development of church music from plainsong and early faux bourdon through the great polyphonic composers, Byrd, Weelkes, and Morley to the modern cathedral evensong with the blending of the fine traditions that are our glorious heritage from the past.
The parish church of St. Mary
Magdalene, Taunton, is sometimes spoken of as the Cathedral of West Somerset. It is a spacious building, chiefly of the Perpendicular period, with the rare feature of a double aisle on each side of the nave. The tower is 163 feet high. The present organ is a three-manual instrument by Willis, and was placed in the North Chapel in 1882. Herbert Knott has been organist since 1928, and during that time he has given many recitals. Last night he conducted the annual Ladies' Night Concert of the Taunton Madrigal Society, which has been broadcast each season since 1927.