“In my eyes and ears the organ will forever be the King of Instruments." W.A. Mozart
Portrait of Mozart Photo: Barbara Krafft, Public Domain
Mozart loved to play the organ, but probably relied on his brilliant improvising skills for repertoire. Douglas Mews has chosen to play various piano pieces which lend themselves to organ performance, as well as the Andante K616, written for a little clockwork organ that plays by itself.
Thomas Cawthron's generous gift to the Nelson School of Music of the 1913 pipe organ built by Norman and Beard of England is now tonally restored to its original specification by the South Island Organ Company, who have provided a stunning new console and returned it to its original position within the casework.
Douglas Mews was the consultant for the restoration of the organ and this is his first time playing the instrument since then.
Recorded in Nelson Centre of Musical Arts by RNZ Concert
Sound engineer: Darryl Stack
