PROVOCATIVE THOUGHTS:
The late Patric Standford may have written these short pieces deliberately to provoke our feedback. If so, his success is reflected in the rich range of readers' comments appearing at the foot of most of the pages.
DISCUSSION: Defining Our Field - what is 'classical music' to us, why are we involved and what can we learn from our differences? Read John Dante Prevedini's essay, watch the panel discussion and make your own comments.
LISTENING TO TCHAIKOVSKY: Béla Hartmann uses his knowledge of Eastern Europe to argue against the banning of all Russian culture following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
English organist and choirmaster John Gavin Scott was born in Wakefield on 18 June 1956 and was a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral, where he learnt to play the organ. He was organ scholar at St John's Collge, Cambridge (1974-8), as assistant to George Guest, and studying with Gillian Weir, Jonathan Bielby and Ralph Downes.
His first job was as assistant organist at St Paul's Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral in London. He took over as organist and director of music when Christopher Dearnley retired.
He moved to New York City as organist and director of music at St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, in 2004.
He recorded extensively on at least six different labels, and contributed chants and psalm texts to The Anglican Psalter.
John Scott died suddenly in New York City on 12 August 2015, aged fifty-nine, the day after he returned from a fourteen recital seven country European tour.
Sharply Focused - John Scott at the organ of Derby Cathedral delights Mike Wheeler
Rhythmic Bounce - Peter Gould at the organ of Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler