Concerts
Penny is at home on the three contrasting consoles of the modern keyboard orchestra, the classical pipe organ and the mighty theatre organ (see the foot of this page). Hearing is believing when it comes to Penny's state-of-the-art keyboard orchestra. Click on the picture below to hear an example.
Although the instrument looks like an organ, it actually allows Penny to produce and mix sounds in the same way that an artist blends colours, achieving astonishing and beautiful sounds.
Unlike early electronic instruments, this one is not only touch sensitive, but responds to pressure after the key is played, sideways movement of the key to bend the pitch, key pressure to obtain vibrato, movement of the sounds around the stereo picture and much more!
The keyboard orchestra that Penny plays emphatically does
not play itself - a common misconception caused, no doubt, by the
existence of 'fun' keyboards with
demo
tracks. Every note that you hear is played live by Penny, using her two hands
and feet.
Penny has to make all her own arrangements, as little dedicated music exists for this instrument. She starts from the orchestral scores and original recordings.
For the enhanced enjoyment of the audience, Penny's hands are projected onto a large screen, along with films and slides which add to the experience.
"Like a breath of fresh air - so different" ... "An evening to remember as the best we have experienced" ... "The effect was almost unearthly in its beauty" ... "Anyone would have thought there was a symphony orchestra performing" ... "An exceptional concert which is going to be a hard act to follow" ... "A total treat - her sparkling personality matched her musical talent"
Although known especially for her classical programmes, Penny is equally at home playing in a lighter vein. She tailors her selections to suit the requirements of the occasion. The links below will allow you to hear a selection of styles:
Classical examples: Crown Imperial March (Walton), To the Moon (Schubert), Arabesque No. 1 (Debussy), Symphonic Selection (Sibelius), Slow Movement from Sonata in C (Mozart)
Light classical examples: Warsaw Concerto (Addinsell), Merry Widow Selection (Lehar), Porgy and Bess Selection (Gershwin)
Popular examples: Opus One (Oliver), My Fair Lady selection (Rodgers & Hammerstein), Popular TV and film themes such as The Theme from Robinson Crusoe and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, the Hammond jazz sound and the trad jazz sound
On the classical pipe organ, Penny has given recitals in the larger venues such as the Fairfield Halls, Croydon and Bristol's Colston Hall, as well as a wealth of lovely instruments in country churches, while her theatre organ recitals have taken her to the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, the Ipswich Christie, the Barry Christie, The Woking Wurlitzer, Eston, Elloughton and Hampton in Arden to name a few. Click on the pictures below to hear her play.
Penny at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Penny in Heaven at the Tower, Blackpool