05/02/2025
St Monans Auld Kirk Organ Recital (report by Vicki Salvage)
Saturday 14th of September, 2024
"On Saturday evening, the 14th September 2024, my husband Martin and I attended a special event in St Monans Auld Kirk called Harmonies of Heritage. This was a Sowne of Organe event in collaboration with Sacred Landscapes of Fife to showcase The 1850 Thomas Robson/ 1935 Rushworth and Dreaper Organ which has been installed in our Kirk since the mid(-to later) 1990s; a period of around 30 years.
The event was well advertised, and quite well attended (I counted over 92 people). It was attended mainly by people who either support the conservation of historic organs, or who are keen on organ recitals . . . or who are local people who value having such a large, rare organ in our Auld Kirk in St Monans.
As there were less than 8 St Monans residents present, I presume the audience was over 85% composed of supporters of the Robson/Rushworth and Dreaper organ conservation group (and other such organs) or those who appreciate organ recitals, sometimes including sacred music.
Before the musical part of the evening began there were 3 speakers who were each giving their own views and other information on the organ we were about to hear played for us later. Unfortunately there was no microphone used, so many of the audience seated in the nave (or beyond the first quarter of the Nave pews) ~ just could not hear much of what was said by the first two speakers. The final speaker stood closer to the audience and their voice carried much further! Sadly we were seated near the back - and heard very little of the first two talks.
We were given an interesting history of organ music being played during Church of Scotland Kirk services. I had no idea that almost all singing in Scottish Presbyterian Churches was unaccompanied by musical instruments until around the mid 19th century, so organ music in our churches is quite a modern concept!
Much of the rest of the speakers’ talks were about the need to conserve the organs and preserve the churches in which they presently reside. However there was no actual discussion about the support needed for housing and conserving such organs ~ or the lack of people who are qualified to play such large instruments.
It was interesting to hear a humorous description of the work needed by the two organ specialists before the planned performances we were to hear . . . as they had crawled into tight spaces to use whatever tools or aid was to hand to make sure the organ would ‘sing’ again that evening!
The musical section of the evening was enjoyable. The two organists played beautifully; I especially enjoyed the organ and cello duet.
Most of the rest of the details from this event are included in the leaflet that was given out to everyone in the audience, and which is included here.
Our overall impression is that the population of St Monans is not very interested in preserving such a large organ in the Auld Kirk."
