In this episode of the PPS podcast, Charlie Brown speaks with Isabelle Demers in preparation for her performance on Saturday 28th September marking the end of another successful season of organ recitals at St John the Evangelist, Duncan Terrace in Islington, London.

Listen as we hear from one of the world's most celebrated organists as she discusses her thoughts and reasons for her chosen music. In particular, we hear an interesting and moving personal insight concerning the important influence of the first piece's composer - Rachel Laurin - on Isabelle's life and work.

Isabelle Demers plays across Canada and the United States and is regularly invited to play at the basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal. Her virtuoso piano technique and the fact that she plays all her repertoire from memory set her apart in the world of organists.

She currently serves as professor of organ at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. With playing described as having “bracing virtuosity” (Chicago Classical Review) and being “fearless and extraordinary” (Amarillo-Globe News), organist Isabelle Demers has enraptured critics, presenters, and audience members around the globe for her entrancing performances.

Full information on this and other recitals can be found at⁠⁠⁠

Islington Church Concerts

⁠⁠⁠Music Discussed: Sweelinck Variations - Rachel Laurin (1961-2023)

Impromptu - Valentin Alkan (1813-1888)

Prière - César Franck (1822-1890)

The Moldau - Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884) 

Music featured (played by Isabelle Demers): IV Toccata, Symphony No 1, Op 36 - Rachel Laurin

https://open.spotify.com/track/3FqdTx10AeTY12LsGve1QO?si=31d74e45b4ef4495

Impromptu on a Choral of Luther, Op.69 (Un fort rampart est notre Dieu…Ein feste Burg) - Charles Valentin Alkan

Featured in Pipedreams Podcast -https://www.pipedreams.org/episode/2022/10/24/a-reformation-festival

Theme Music: Adrian Gunning

Artwork: Cal Wilson

In this episode of the PPS podcast, join hosts Charlie Brown and Adrian Gunning as they meet with Charles Francis while he practises at St John's, Duncan Terrace in preparation for his recital there on Saturday 27th July.

Listen as we hear from a young organist who has already garnered a reputation as a soloist across the UK. His playing has earned him various notable accolades including First Prizes in both the IAO/RCO Organ Playing Competition (Edinburgh, 2022) and The Dame Gillian Weir Messiaen Competition (Birmingham, 2019).

Charles is currently studying at the Eastman school with Nathan Laube in the USA and we hear in this interview all about his transatlantic experiences.

Full information on this and future recitals can be found at

⁠Islington Church Concerts⁠

Music Featured:

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 664,

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Organ Sonata No. 1,

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963)

12 Piéces pour Grand Orgue,

Gaston Litaize (1909-1991)

Suite pour Orgue, Op. 5,

Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)

Theme Music: Adrian Gunning

Artwork: Cal Wilson

In this launch episode of the PPS podcast, join hosts Charlie Brown and Adrian Gunning as they go to St John the Evangelist Church, Islington London to meet with Joshua

Listen to Joshua as he discusses the musical influences and people that have brought him to this point as an up and coming young organist. We also get a chance to hear him play short excerpts from the pieces featuring in his recital while sharing his thoughts and reasons behind his choice of music.

Full information on this and future recitals can be found at

Islington Church Concerts

Music Featured:

Choral-Improvisation on ‘Victimae Paschali’

Dic nobis Maria WV51(Intabulation after Bassano)

Heinrich Scheidemann (1595-1663)

Prelude, Scherzo and Passacaglia op. 41

Prelude & fugue in D-sharp minor

Otto Olsson (1879-1964)

Ettrick Banks

Judith Weir (b.1954)

'Le cri de l’abime' - The Cry of the abyss (from Quartième Esquisse)

Artwork: Cal Wilson

Theme Music: Adrian Gunning