17/05/2023
Join internationally renowned musicians for a series of summer recitals showcasing world class musicians and York Minster’s spectacular Grand Organ.
The summer recitals will take place on Thursday evenings from 20 July to 24 August and feature world class organists including award-winning performer John Scott Whiteley, Organist Emeritus of York Minster; Katherine Dienes-Williams, the first ever female President of the Cathedral Organists’ Association and the first woman to hold the most senior musical post in a Church of England cathedral; Robert Quinney, Associate Professor, Organist and Tutorial Fellow in Music at the University of Oxford; and experienced cathedral musician Colin Walsh.
Accomplished soloists from York Minster’s own acclaimed Music Team – Robert Sharpe, Director of Music, and Benjamin Morris, Assistant Director of Music, both experienced musicians performing in the UK and abroad – complete the line-up.
The unique sound of York Minster’s magnificent Grand Organ – which returned to use at the cathedral in 2021 following a multi-million pound refurbishment – will be showcased through an exciting and diverse range of music. Highlights include well known and much loved compositions such as Bach’s “Wedge” Prelude & Fugue, Widor’s Sixth Symphony in its entirety, as well as Robert Quinney’s own transcription of Vaughan Williams’ Fifth Symphony. Impressive contemporary pieces from Kerensa Briggs, Ghislaine Reece-Trapp and Philip Moore will showcase the drama and poetry of the instrument.
Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster said: “I am looking forward to the second series of summer recitals on York Minster's refurbished Grand Organ and to welcoming our distinguished guest recitalists who have chosen a superb selection of traditional and contemporary music for their programmes. Do join us for what promises to be another great series of recitals.”
Tickets for the recitals are available now via www.yorkminster.org priced at £12, with a combined season ticket price of £60 for all six recitals. A concession ticket price of £5 for under-27s is also available.
