Andrew Lucas at St Paul's Cathedral, London

Andrew Lucas playing a spectacular version of Garth Edmunson's Toccata on Von Himmel Hoch. Here the organ's full might is unleashed for the second half of the piece, it has been said that the dome division contains enough power to send audiences running for cover if the organist is not careful! The west end royal trumpets get an airing here too.

Andrew Lucas was born in 1958 and studied with John Birch and Herbert Howells at the RCM, after graduation studied with Peter Hurford and later with Piet Kee. he began at St Pauls cathedral in 1980 as a student organist and became sub-organist in 1985, and finally Sub organist and assistant Director of Music in 1990-1998. Since leaving St Pauls, he has gone on to become Master of Music at St Alban's Abbey.

The keen eyed amongst you might be able to spot the pictures of the recently restored organ (those pictures with a red border), with is brand new mobile console. The Dome division has just been cleaned as part of a £1 million restoration. The official rededication will be October 30th 2008. There are a couple of controversial aspects however, the metal resonators for the Dome tubas are to be replaced with new ones, as Manders couldn't 'brighten' them sufficiently, which seems odd IMHO, they have always been praised for their tone. Anyway they have been replaced, but the original ones stored, in case they want to reinstate them. Seems very odd. The west end division flue chorus might also be moved, a decision has not yet been taken. Information gleaned from the Mander Organs discussion board.

This recording was taken from the now defunct Mirabilis label MRCD 905 The Grand Organ recorded in 1991. The producer was David Wyld, who now is director of Henry Willis & Sons organ builders.