Fotheringhay
James has been Organist of St Mary's and All Saints' Church, Fotheringhay, for over fifteen years.
Fotheringhay is a tiny village in Northamptonshire over which presides the iconic lantern tower of St Mary and All Saints Parish Church— “float[ing] on its hill above the River Nene, a galleon of Perpendicular on a sea of corn” (Simon Jenkins)
The present Church is all that remains of a mediaeval College of Priests founded by King Edward III.
Watercolour by Simon Dolby -
used here by James Parsons with artist’s restricted permission
This is a romantic location rich in historical association:
- King Edward III instigated the building of the Church and College, with work completed by c.1434
- King Richard III was born in the adjoining Castle
- Edward of Norwich and Richard Plantagenet (Dukes of York), together with the latter’s wife and son, are buried there
- King Edward IV donated the painted pulpit in the Church
- Mary Queen of Scots was executed in the Castle (razed by her son, King James 1, in 1627)
Recent researches reveal the vital musical culture that attached to the College before its Dissolution in 1548
- with a fine body of choral polyphony, as evidenced in John Sadler’s part books
- and an inventory recording two organs
Thousands visit Fotheringhay every year, a trend now boosted by the recently–raised interest in Richard III and the activities of the Richard III Society. The Church is also a focus for other special-interest groups such as the Mary Queen of Scots Society, and U3A.
St Mary’s, Fotheringhay, is a numinous place blessed with a moist yet clear acoustic.
The Organ
For most years of the 20th century, Fotheringhay Church, had an electronic organ (a Compton – with valves!). During the 1990’s James headed an initiative to provide a pipe organ worthy of the Church’s heritage and aesthetic qualities. The builder finally selected was Vincent Woodstock of Redbourn, Hertfordshire, who installed the organ in 2000. The ON Organ Fund [website link] was one of the major contributors to the funding campaign spearheaded by Michael and Juliet Wilson.
.The organ which Woodstock created, noted for its superb mechanical action and resonant voicing, has been widely featured in recitals and broadcasts and at organists' summer schools, whilst enriching the regular services.
Specification
Great
Open Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Dulciana 8
Principal 4
Fifteenth 2
Mixture IV 1 1/3
Trumpet 8
Swell
Chimney Flute 8
Flute 4
Nazard 2 2/3
Gemshorn 2
Tierce 1 3/5
Pedal
Bourdon 16
Bass Flute 8
Bassoon 16
Compass of Keys CC-g3 56 notes
Compass of Pedals C-f1 30 notes
Pedalboard Straight/ Concave
Mechanical Action to keys and stops
Following major structural renovation in the Church, the organ will be cleaned and recommissioned in Spring 2019 by
Bower & Company [website link]
2019 will see
- the release of new recordings by James playing the Fotheringhay organ
- a prestigious series of public organ recitals
- celebratory services recreating Fotheringhay’s medieval liturgies
- a proposed residence of 'Early English Organs'
Gallery of Fotheringay
The 'Wingfield Mediaeval' Organ' in residence at St Mary's and All Saints, Fotheringhay until September
Good Friday 2019 - Stations of the Cross - Fotheringhay
15th-century pulpit at Fotheringhay, given by King Edward IV
Richard III Chapel, St Mary's and All Saints' Church Fotheringhay - King Richard III born in Fotheringhay Castle on 2 October 1452
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