Sir, Malcolm Bowden’s diatribe against the the organ as a musical instrument (letter, July 4) has nothing to do with the recent appointment at St Paul’s Cathedral. You never did take a cathedral organist’s post if you wanted to maintain a career as an organ player, for your time would then be taken up too much with conducting and administration, the organ playing being mainly done by a team of brilliant assistants.
I have never come across Bowden’s “monstrous Victorian organ”, but if I do I will probably play monstrous Victorian music on it.
CHRISTOPHER BOWERS-BROADBENT, Organist, West London Synagogue
Sir. Dr Peter Chatfield (letter, July 9) has emphasised the popularity of classical organ design. However, it should not be forgotten that there are many devotees of the street and fairground organ. Indeed, in the small Flemish town where I live, there is an annual free international Hooghuysfestival for such organs. This year more than 50 organs will be positioned in all the main streets on September 9 to celebrate this art form.
FRANK STYLES, Geraardsbergen, Belgium