Kemp English at the console of the Dunedin Town Hall organ in 2004. Photo: Supplied / Kemp English
It's the rebirth of a beautiful relationship.
Twenty years after he launched the first of three albums of music performed on "Stormin' Norma" (Dunedin Town Hall's mighty pipe organ), Kemp English and Norma are together again.
English released the first "Stormin' Norma" album in 2004. It was an immediate hit with organ fans, so much so that he recorded two more.
English's Stormin' Norma 20th Anniversary Concert takes place in Norma's home, the Dunedin Town Hall, on Sunday 10 November at 3pm.
And while English is playing his favourite pipe organ, he'll be joined by his favourite human: partner, violinist Yuka Eguchi, who's the NZSO's Assistant Concertmaster.
Yuka, Kemp, but not Norma - that's the Auckland Town Hall organ. Photo: Hans Weichselbaum
Kemp spoke with RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump, telling him why Norma is so special (it can play percussion instruments as well as piped sounds) and how it got its name (quite a lot to do with who built it).
He also tells Crump why there's unlikely to be a fourth "Stormin Norma" album. Because they're so loud, the best time to practice on a grand organ is when everyone else is at home in bed. But health and safety rules are making it harder for organists to access their instruments unless other authorised personel are present.
Dunedin Town Hall. After-hours access isn't so easy these days. Photo: Wikicommons
Crump suggested English ask WorkSafe for special dispensation to practice on Norma (and any other grand organ) alone at night - maybe he could get himself a hi-vis vest.
English isn't so sure, but it could become part of the costume for his Norma gig later this month.
