Organist hits 180 weekly concerts

By Sue Careless

Photo: Sue Careless   

ST. JOHN’S--David Drinkell has performed 180 weekly lunchtime organ recitals at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s, Newfoundland. A typical concert for the cathedral organist would cover at least four centuries. For instance, for concert #170 he performed works by Bach, Francoise Couperin, Sir Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) and Pierre Yon.

Drinkell started the ambitious concert series because “It gets the cathedral open and known in the community and because it makes me practice!” The concerts have been going since June, 2003, with virtually no break except for a couple of weeks each year when he is off the island.

Admission to the half-hour Wednesday concerts is free but any donations are used to maintain the cathedral’s great Casavant organ with its 3,600 pipes, four keyboards, pedal board and 52 speaking stops. The organ was originally built by the Englishman Robert Hope-Jones whose patents were later used to create Wurlitzer theatre organs and foghorns!

For Drinkell, the most challenging composers are the 20th century French, while he claims that to every organist Bach is the most satisfying composer to play.

“I think there is a thin line between what is sacred, what can be used in a sacred context, and what is secular. Having said that I like to include something humourous  from time to time, like a Sousa march or a bit of Sullivan. Leroy Anderson’s “Sleighride” is tremendous fun. But really, playing a Bach fugue is one of the most exhilarating experiences imaginable.”

Born in England, Drinkell was first appointed organist of a local church at the age of twelve. His resumé is full of cathedrals. He was Master of the Music at St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. He also taught music in local Orkney schools. Later he was Organist and Master of the Choristers at St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. Since 2003 Drinkell has been Organist and Choir Director at St. John the Baptist, the oldest Anglican parish in Canada. (It was founded in 1699.)