Prelude on "Amazing Grace" - Paul Fey

Prelude on "Amazing Grace" - Paul Fey (b. 1998) ‎@PaulFey
Amazing Grace! This most famous hymn by the Rev. John Newton (1725-1807) needs no introduction. It is, however, with note that I share this recording today. Some 250 years ago, on this very day, January 1, 1773, in Newton's parish church of St Peter and St Paul, Olmey, this beloved hymn was sung as a newly composed hymn for the very first time! For more details on this anniversary, visit cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/...
With that in mind, I played this wonderful arrangement by Paul Fey during the offering this morning at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
This piece also now has a special place in my heart and that of my Specky family as it was the closing piece I played at the funeral of our Aunt Wilma van der Spek, to whom this recording is dedicated. ❤️💐
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
James van den Brink
As an amateur organist, James wishes to share God's gift of music through these simple recordings of the "King of Instruments", the pipe organ, and its music. Beginning his organ studies at the young age of six with his sister Marguerite de Jonge, he further studied with Niagara organist, Lesley Kingham, MMus. James is currently the Music Director for St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, has been a church organist for nearly 20 years, accompanied a community choir, Musica Sacra Chorus, for over a decade, and was a long standing member (tenor) of Niagara's premier chamber choir, the Avanti Chamber Singers. James also serves as President and Treasurer for the Niagara Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). Additionally, he has a professional career as an accountant (CPA, CMA).
Recording Location:
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
323 Simcoe St
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Canada
standrewsniagara.com/
The Organ: Keates-Geissler (2006)
GREAT
Prestant 8' 61 pipes
Hohlflöte 8' 61
Dulciana 8' 61
Octave 4' 61
Super Octave 2' 61
Mixture II-IV 1-1/3' 208
Trumpet 8' 61
Chimes
Great Super
SWELL
Salicional 8' 61 pipes
Voix Celeste 8' 49
Gedeckt 8' 61
Spitzprincipal 4' 61
Koppelflöte 4' 61
Doublette 2' 61
Sesquialter II 2-2/3' 122
Scharf III 1' 183
Hautbois 8' 61
Swell Super
Swell Sub
Tremulant
PEDAL
Bourdon 16' 32 pipes
Gedeckt 16' Double Valve (1-12)
Octavebass 8' 12
Bassflöte 8' 12
Choralbass 4' 32
Rauschpfeife II 2-2/3' 64
Contra Hautbois 16' 12 (half-length)
Oboe 8' (Swell)
Great to Pedal 8' Reversible (thumb, toe)
Great to Pedal 4'
Swell to Pedal 8' Reversible
Swell to Pedal 4'
Swell to Great 16'
Swell to Great 8' Reversible
Swell to Great 4'
OTHER DETAILS
Divisional thumb pistons: Swell, Great, Pedal (6 each)
General toe pistons (6)
Full Organ toe piston
Balanced expression and crescendo shoes
Indicator Light
3/4HP blower
Colonial casework
Pitman chest with universal wells
Electronic switching
Electronic multi memory (8 levels) combination action
2 - 61 note manuals in French Terraced drawknob console with roll top
32 note concaved radiating steel framed pedalboard
Adjustable and lit music rack
27 ranks
24 stops
25 note chimes with electric action
Recording Equipment:
Samsung S22+