Alkmaar: Organs of the Laurenskerk
This documentary by Fugue State Films charts the development of organ-building in the Netherlands through the 500-year organ history of the Laurenskerk in Alkmaar, a church that includes both an organ from 1511 by Jan van Covelens as well as the world-famous 1646 van Hagerbeer instrument, updated in 1723 by Frans Caspar Schnitger.
The Organ Podcast from the RCO
The Royal College of Organists has launched a new podcast dedicated to the world of the organ, organists and organ music. Listen to all episodes here.
BWV 565 explored: The Great Toccata from Fugue State Films
An exploration of the authorship of the Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV565, in an engaging set of documentary films and performances.
Surprising Stanford – the RCO Organ Forum marks his centenary year
The RCO Organ Forum in 2024 marked the centenary of Charles Villiers Stanford’s death with a day of discussion and performances at Trinity College, Cambridge, where Stanford spent much of his musical life.
RCO News January 2025
The College’s bi-annual magazine for members contains features, details of forthcoming events and courses, and general news and views from the RCO.
Completing Bach’s Orgelbuchlein – a new volume now available
A new volume from The Orgelbuchlein Project, a 21st-century completion of Bach’s Little Organ Book, has just been published, with a special offer on the price until the end of November 2024.
Widor, Master of the Organ Symphony: early influences
This film looks at the early life and training of Charles-Marie Widor, and examines his development as a composer in the context of the composers who immediately preceded him.
Bach: Art of Fugue explored
Historian Christoph Wolff and American organist George Ritchie discuss Bach’s Art of Fugue. They consider how it came to be written, and some of the issues around a performance of the piece.
The Genius of Cavaille-Coll
A film by Fugue State Films exploring the life of Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, the greatest organ builder of the 19th century and also probably the most famous of all organ builders. Creator of such instruments as those in St Sulpice, Paris, and St Ouen, Rouen, he devised a new way of building organs that led directly to the development of the French Romantic school of organ composition.
Organ Antiphony: Cecilia McDowall in conversation
The College promotes an awareness of today’s music through the examination syllabuses, and some of Cecilia McDowall’s organ works have been set for study at ARCO in 2024-5. The composer reveals her influences, inspirations and motivations in a fascinating interview with RCO Chief Examiner Stephen Farr, who gave the first performance of her First Flight in 2021.