Introducing Kevin Morgan (2003) Wyton House Compton

Kevin’s first solo recording at the 4/10 Compton organ at Wyton House, Huntingdon.
Released on the Audicord label in 2003. Previously released on cassette in 1997.

Running time: 60.06.
Code: ACD 235.

In the News
I Know Why
Neapolitan Serenade
The Way You Look Tonight
Elizabethan Serenade
Love and the Dancer
Rouge at Noir
Cockney Capers
The Railway Children
Cynthia
Wendy
Mame
Nola
Isn’t it Heavenly
Nights of Gladness
Manhattan
Caribbean Honeymoon

Original Text from the 1997 Cassette Release (AC235)

It is always good to welcome a new name to the theatre organ scene and Audicord has great pleasure in presenting this, the first solo album by KEVIN MORGAN (B.A. (Hons), F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., F.R.C.O.).

Kevin was born in Dorset and began playing the piano at the age of three. Head Chorister of Sherborne Abbey and a Music Scholar at his school, he was awarded numerous national prizes for the highest marks in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations, particularly for Grades 6, 7 and 8. He started playing the organ when he was nine and played for his first service in Salisbury Cathedral only two years later. After extensive studies in Durham, London, Oxford and Cambridge, he moved to Bolton in September 1986 to take up the position of Organist and Choirmaster at the Parish Church, a post he held for nine years. He teaches both piano and organ at Bolton School and Stonyhurst College, and undertakes freelance cabaret and recital work on piano, classical organ, electronic and theatre pipe organs.

He is regularly featured as a member of the New Pipedreamers on the BBC Night Network, has directed operatic societies in productions ranging from “The Merry Widow” to “Don Giovanni”, accompanies several soloists in the North West, and is in ever increasing demand for concerts across the country.

The basis of the Wyton House Compton organ is the 4-manual 10-rank instrument from the Astoria, Southend. It was built in 1935, and the original pipework, all of which has been retained, comprised Diapason, Tibia (metal), Stopped and Open Flutes, String, Cello, Tuba, Trumpet, Vox Humana and Clarinet. A Grand Piano is included in the specification. It also had a Melotone and Solo Cello, but these were excluded from the rebuild. However, five extra ranks have been added: a second Tibia a second Vox Humana, Solo String, Krumet and French Horn.
In the confines of the music room, picking up some mechanical noise is unavoidable, and it is hoped that this will not detract from your enjoyment of the music. It should be pointed out that this recording captures the natural sound of the organ. The acoustics in the music room are excellent, and no artificial reverberation has been used at all.

Sincere thanks to the owners of the Compton, Peter and Elizabeth Palmer and to organ technician Chris Booth, for their co-operation in this production.

Produced and recorded by John Greenwood.