The 2026 Beaminster Festival makes sound use of the Skrabl instrument

The Skrabl organ in St Mary's, Beaminster, has been put to good use in the past few days during the Beaminster Festival.

The organist Jonathan Scott was joined in a recital by pianist brother Tom for a performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue.

Afterwards they wrote: 'We had an amazing time performing at the Beaminster Festival, thank you to everyone who came to the concert! Great lighting for Rhapsody in Blue too!'

A recital by Richard Pinel, a Professor of Organ at the Royal Academy of Music and former Director of Music at Jesus College, Cambridge, included music by Buxtehude, Byrd and Leighton.

The programme by Katherine Dienes-Williams, Organist and Choir Director at Guildford Cathedral and the first woman to hold the most senior musical post in a Church of England cathedral, featured music by the 19th century female French composer, Blanche Rozan and the German contemporary composer, Andreas Willscher.

Richard Pinel

Katherine Dienes-Williams

Specification

I manual

Open Diapason 8, Stopped Diapason 8, Dulciana 8, Octave 4, Rohr flute 4, Quinte 2⅔, Fifteenth 2, Tierce, Mixture IlI Trumpet 8, Tremulant.

II manual

Bourdon 8, Diapason 8, Gedackt 8 , Voix Celeste 8, Salicional 8, Spitz Flute 4 , Gemshorn 2, Mixture Il, Basson 16 , Oboe 8, Tremulant.

Pedal

Principal 16, Sub Bass 16, Bass Flute 8 Octave 8, Posaune 16.

Zimbelstern