Gaston Bélier, TOCCATA IN D MINOR - Diane Bish

Diane plays this piece on the 1962 Harrison and Harrison organ of Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, England. The Harrison & Harrison organ at Coventry Cathedral is one of Britain's landmark post-war cathedral organs. It was designed during the 1950s and completed in 1962 as part of the new cathedral following the destruction of the previous Willis organ in the 1940 bombing. Its tonal design deliberately blends English Romantic and classical ("Organ Reform") ideals, making it exceptionally versatile. Key specifications: Builder: Harrison & Harrison (Durham) Completed: 1962 Manuals: 4 Pedal: 32 notes Manual compass: 61 notes Stops: 74 Pipework: Nearly 5,000 pipes Action: Electro-pneumatic Console: Detached, movable Combination system: 8 divisional memory levels, 64 general memory levels (added during the 1986-87 modernization) Expression: Swell and Solo enclosed with balanced expression pedals. Division layout: Choir – 15 speaking stops Great – 15 speaking stops Swell – 13 speaking stops Solo – 11 speaking stops (including high-pressure orchestral reeds) Pedal – 20 speaking stops. The organ was extensively overhauled in 1986-87, receiving solid-state control, additional couplers, and a Larigot 1⅓' on the Choir. After a cathedral fire in 2001 it was cleaned and serviced, and today it is recognized as a Grade I Historic Organ. The cathedral is currently fundraising for a comprehensive restoration because of age-related wear. From a tonal standpoint, many organists regard it as one of Harrison & Harrison's finest 20th-century instruments because it can convincingly perform English cathedral repertoire (Howells, Elgar, Walton), French symphonic works (Vierne, Widor), and much Baroque literature without sounding stylistically out of place.