Haydn: Music for a Musical Clock, Hob. XIX (selection)

Norma, the Dunedin Town Hall Organ, is a large and impressive instrument. It is a rare example of a symphonic organ in which conventional organ sounds are combined with orchestral tone colours and unique percussion effects.

A refined musician and sought-after performer on all keyboard instruments, Yasuko Uyama Bouvard appears as soloist, in duo with Isabelle Poulenard, or with various ensembles such as the Sacqueboutiers de Toulouse, Les Passions, A Sei Voci, Les Éléments… As a soloist or as a continuo player she has made several records, for which reviews acknowledge the finesse and virtuosity of her playing.

The true identity of the organ featured here was not discovered until 2007. It was originally built in 1913/14 for the “Britannic” ocean liner, sister of the “Titanic”. Because the vessel was used as a hospital ship during World War I, it was probably never installed on the ship’s passenger deck. It has been renovated and called the “Britannic Organ” and is in outstanding condition. Here we have performances by Rumsey, as well as Welte rolls and some of the oldest recordings of historic organists.

Richard Burnett plays this tiny Square Piano made around 1800 by Anton Walter in Vienna. It has a full Viennese action and is a true fortepiano in all but size. It is the ideal vehicle for playing the charming Pieces for Musical Clock and other small-scale works. The instrument is one of Richard Burnett's historical collection at Finchcocks in Goudhurst, Kent and never fails to delight their many visitors when played by Mr. Burnett.