The Oxbridge Organ Duo was formed in 2015 by two former organ scholars to explore the unusual and somewhat neglected repertoire for organ duet. The Duo’s first commercial recording features three stunningly virtuoso works which explore the extremes of the organ duet medium and the full tonal resources of the magnificent Walker organ of Blackburn Cathedral.
Ravel’s famous Boléro appears in a wonderful new guise transcribed by American organist, Andrew Senn. The exhilarating Paean by another American composer, Steven Paulus, is a remarkable new and original minimalist toccata for organ duet. Stravinsky’s early ballet The Firebird explodes with multi-layered colour and expressive detail in this new transcription by distinguished Swiss organist, Guy Bovet.
Benedict Lewis-Smith was organ scholar at The Queen’s College, Oxford (2007–2010) and before this was awarded a place as a specialist musician and organ scholar at Wells Cathedral School. He is now Director of Music at St Columba’s Church, Knightsbridge and combines this role with a substantial freelance career in London.
Julian Collings was educated as an organ scholar at Tonbridge School in Kent, before winning an organ scholarship to Christ’s College, Cambridge in 1999, studying under Thomas Trotter and David Sanger. He is currently Director of Music at St Cyprian’s Church, Clarence Gate, a post which he combines with a busy freelance performing schedule.
