An architectural summary

The varied character of the Diocese of Southwark, stretching from the industrial and commercial areas close to the Thames in the north, to countryside on the Sussex border in the south, has an equally diverse heritage of churches. Some are mediaeval and remain the centre of earlier villages. Many but by no means all have been heavily restored or enlarged; a few are still largely unspoiled and in truly rural settings. The variety of churches which protect these organs reflects the development of South London, with the steady growth and migration of its population since the eighteenth century. Sometimes the organs are more engaging than the churches. It is interesting to note that many of these recordings were made in significant architectural buildings.

Southwark Cathedral is an amalgam of many styles and periods, all happily blending together. Beddington is a large former village church dating from the eleventh to the nineteenth century, with an outstanding organ screen of 1869 by Morris & Company. St Katherine's, Merstham, still a village church, dates from the early thirteenth century onwards. Croydon Parish Church, formerly the largest mediaeval church in Surrey, was destroyed by fire and rebuilt by Scott in 1870. The fine chancel organ case is by his son John Oldrid Scott.

The magnificent baroque church at Deptford (1713-30), by Thomas Archer, is one of England's most important buildings. St James's, Bermondsey (1827-9), by James Savage, is a fine Commissioners' church in the fashionable Greek style. Christ Church, Streatham Hill (1840-1) by J. Wild is impressive, and an important example of the Rundbogenstil or round-arch style, and is well-sited to be noticed from a distance.

St Giles's, Camberwell (1841-4), by Scott and Moffat, introduces the gothic revival with the Early English style. Externally it is a commanding design and its plain interior has recently been renovated. St John's, Upper Norwood (1876-7) is one of J.L. Pearson's outstanding designs. Even more magnificent is his design for St Michael's, Croydon — a veritable cathedral in miniature. Here Bodley's organ cases are equally splendid. Holy Innocents, South Norwood, 1894-5 is by Bodley, with windows by Kempe; it is a competent design as one would expect from this fine architect and is one of Southwark's hidden gems. All Saints', Tooting Graveney, constructed between 1904 and 1906, is a very elegant church by Temple Moore, containing many fine Italian furnishings. The organ case is by Walter Tapper.

The only building which is not a church, the Royal Festival Hall, was designed in 1948 by Robert Matthew and Sir Leslie Martin — an outstanding and iconic design. This was Britain's first major public building in a contemporary style. St Barnabas's Dulwich brings us up to date; the new church was constructed following the fire of 1992. It is also a contemporary design in which the organ case is fully integrated with the design of the interior.

This recording not only reflects the best of Southwark's organs but the great wealth of buildings, without which the organs could not exist

Barrie Clark