Cumberland News

Seductive organ sound
Published on 15/09/2006

Bravura: On the cathedral organ Tom Bell for Lunchtime Live, Carlisle Cathedral, Tuesday, September 5

Carlisle Cathedral’s Lunchtime Live season opened spectacularly with Tom Bell delighting a very enthusiastic audience with a bravura display of organ wizardry.

This young Royal Northern College of Music prize-winning player conjured up a truly captivating soundworld in a programme that included something for everyone.

Having seduced his audience with Reuschel’s exotic and enticing Promenades en Provence, Tom moved on to Martin Bussey’s extraordinary Anima Christi – serene and turbulent.

The clear audience favourite was David Clegg’s A Church Service Interrupted by a Thunderstorm, while Widor’s Allegro Vivace from Symphonie V ended a delightful recital. Here is a player who could really make the organ popular.

Oundle International Festival (press release)

Tom Bell drew great praise from the tutors at the 2006 Oundle for Organists Advanced Academy course in Cambridge and was nominated to play five prestigious recitals around the UK under the Oundle banner. He had first come to notice at the very first Pulling Out The Stops course for early-stages organists back in 1997. Now, as a pupil of Kevin Bowyer and Jacques van Oortmerssen, a first-class graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music and a dynamic young organist of astonishing maturity, we welcome him back to play a varied, virtuoso programme – ancient and modern.

Alton Organ Society (website review of 2006/7 season)

Tom Bell...performed brilliantly on Tue 27 Feb 07. It was evident to the audience that not only did Tom choose a varied programme but he delivered it magnificently. He is truly a highly gifted musician and a name to watch for the future.

Blackburn Cathedral Newsletter - Dr.John Bertalot

Messe de la Pentecote - Messiaen. Blackburn Cathedral Pentecost Organ Meditation 27/05/07

...an exquisite time of inspiration...

It only took 35 minutes, but it was an amazing experience for us all, not only for Tom Bell's brilliant playing but also because our Associate Director of Music, James Davy, had chosen readings which he delivered most beautifully between the movements of this French organ Messe.

Tom's playing was authoritative... Clearly he is a young man to watch.