Classical Preview: Huddersfield organist’s lunchtime concerts

Gordon Stewart has been resident organist at Huddersfield Town Hall for almost 20 years and next Monday sees him continuing his lunchtime series that presently attracts more than 300 people.

“That is the beauty of being here,’ he tells me. “They are never slow to tell you they haven’t enjoyed something, but once they have taken you to their hearts they will support everything you do.”

The son of a Scottish church minister, it was almost expected that after piano lessons he would graduate to the organ loft of the Methodist church in his home town of Dundee.

“As a young man I had become fascinated by the music of Bach, so it was no bad thing that I ended up as an organist, and if I had to take 10 discs to my desert island they would all be Bach.”

Yet next Monday’s programme show a catholic choice that includes Buxtehude, Felton, Scotson Clark, ending with the monumental Fantasia and Fugue on Ad nos ad salutarem undam by Franz Liszt.

“I’m ending the season with the Prelude and Fugue on BACH, the two pieces being my contribution to the bicentenary celebration of the birth of Liszt. I really wanted to show off on the excellent Town Hall organ.”

Gordon Stewart, Huddersfield Town Hall, Mar 7; Apr 4 & 18; May 9, 1pm. 01484 223200.