A noted organist, composer and teacher inhis day, John Reading (born in 1685/6) wasobviously something of a networker,acquiring many contacts during his spell as achorister in the Chapel Royal and thereafterbecoming friends with some of the mostprominent London musicians of the 18thcentury. The impresario drew on hisprofessional connections to compile what isnow considered one of the most importantcollections of English organ music fromaround that period: The John ReadingManuscripts. Still housed in the beautifulsurroundings of Dulwich College Library,these volumes elucidate a fascinating periodof stylistic transition with regard to organwriting in mid?18th?century England.John Blow, John James, Maurice Greene, MrSeedo, John Stanley, John Barrett and JohnReading himself: these are among the namesfeatured in the collection and which makeup this engaging release. The disc exploresthe inherent musical possibilities of thevoluntary, a improvisatory piece whichperformed an established role as part of thechurch service, such as the ‘double voluntary’and the ‘1st’ or ‘2nd’ voluntary. Twotrumpet airs by Reading are included, workswhich were probably originally written forthe harpsichord because of the high registerof their solo parts, and the manuscripts alsodraw attention the two distinct styles oforgan composition then in vogue: the oldcontrapuntal style of the early Baroque, withits elaborate ornamentation, and the new,lighter textures of the early 18th century – areflection of the new arrival of Italian operaand the rococo style.Performing these works with aplomb anddrawing full attention to the differentnational styles contained therein isdistinguished Italian organist Riccardo Bonci.The recording was, rather fittingly, made onthe Dulwich College premises: Bonci plays the 1760 George England organ in Christ’sChapel of God’s Gift.

Riccardo Bonci at the 1760 George England organ in Christ’s Chapel of God’s Gift