What’s on in York: Organ series 2018 at York Minster

Celebrate the Cathedrals magnificent organ ahead of its major restoration in autumn 2018.

A series of outstanding concerts and recitals with pieces brought to life by the Minster’s own world-renowned musicians.

Monday 7 May – 1.10pm
Bank Holiday Monday recital
Jeremy Lloyd will perform an informal Organ Promanade in the Nave as part of regular admission to the Minster.

Sunday 13 May – 5.15pm
Olivier Messiaen’s L’ascension

Saturday 25 August – 7.00pm
Summer organs gala concert

J S Bach on Sundays

Each Sunday between January and July, before the 10am service.

Whats on in York: Organ recitals at York Minster

Internationally acclaimed guest organists will join York Minster’s renowned team to perform a stunning range of music across five successive Saturday evenings this summer. The popular summer Organ Recitals return for 2017 and include works ranging from classics by J S Bach, Elgar and Mendelssohn to more recent works by composers such as Messaien and Langlais.

 James Lancelothas been Master of the Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral since 1985. Under his direction the choir has maintained its reputation as one of Britain’s leading cathedral choirs. The choir broadcasts, records and tours regularly; but its priority is always the daily Opus Dei – daily Evensong, together with Matins and Sung Eucharist on Sundays.

James pursues an active recital career both in Britain and abroad; he played a recital from Durham Cathedral live on BBC Radio 3 in 2015.  He has many recordings to his credit, including two DVDs on the organ of Durham Cathedral.  His recording of Bach’s Orgelbüchlein was released last year; a further Bach recording is due for release later this year.

Benjamin Morris hails from Basingstoke and was educated at Reading School. After a gap year organ scholarship at Gloucester Cathedral, he was awarded the Organ Scholarship to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he read music, graduating in 2014 with first class honours. He then served as Assistant Organist of the College, including a period as Acting Director of Music, before moving to York Minster as Organ Scholar in 2015. He received the diploma of Fellow of the Royal College of Organists in 2013, winning three prizes. In addition to his work at York Minster, Ben is active as a recitalist and keyboard continuo player.

Ben’s programme will include several pieces by JS Bach as well as works by Gabriel Jackson, Judith Bingham and William Cole. Click here for his full programme

ohn Scott Whiteley started his career at York Minster in 1975 and was made Organist Emeritus on his retirement in 2010. A virtuoso of international renown, John performs extensively across Europe and the USA. His acclaimed work for the BBC2/BBC4 series ‘21st Century Bach’ was a landmark for organ music. He has recorded more than 26 CDs as a soloist and more than 20 as an accompanist for prestigious labels such as EMI and Regent.

John’s programme of music will include the complete ‘Robertsbridge Codex’ and works by JS Bach and Percy Whitlock. Click here for his full programme

Jeremy joined York Minster in September 2016 as the cathedral’s Assisting Organist, having previously held positions at Peterborough Cathedral, The London Oratory, and Methodist Central Hall, Westminster. He is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music with first class honours, and is in demand throughout the UK as a solo performer and accompanist.

Jeremy is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and holds the LRAM teaching diploma from the Royal Academy of Music. He is in demand as a soloist, accompanist and continuo player, and has most recently accompanied for the York Musical Society, The Stamford Bridge Singers and The Bridgeman Singers. Jeremy has given organ recitals across the country in venues including the Cathedrals of St. Paul’s, Westminster and Southwark, as well as Westminster Abbey and Reading Town Hall.

 Bringing the season to a close is York Minster’s Director of Music, Robert Sharpe. A celebrated organ recitalist who has performed in major venues both in the UK and abroad, Robert joined the cathedral in 2008. He is responsible for organising and directing all aspects of the Minster’s music, including the choir and the famous Minster organ, as well as arranging its programme of concerts, broadcasts and tours. In 2008, Robert was made an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians and awarded the 2008 Cornwhylen Cross by the Cornish Gorsedd for an “outstanding contribution to Church Music”.

Click here for his programme