Hereford Cathedral will welcome James Lancelot to perform at an evening gala organ concert on Tuesday 19 September at 7pm.

The concert will open with Reger’s Introduction & Passacaglia in D minor – the dramatic and climactic piece which Lancelot once found himself having to learn in just two days for a television broadcast while he was still a student. The programme includes Bach’s monumental Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C BWV 564 and Duruflé’s Fugue sur le thème du Carillon des heures de la Cathédrale de Soissons, alongside lighter pieces, including works by Alain, Boëly, Hollins and Smart. The concert will close with Guilmant’s virtuoso Sonata No 1 in D minor Op. 42.

James Lancelot retired from the post of Master of the Choristers and Organist of Durham Cathedral in 2017 after thirty-two years. Prior to that he was successively a chorister of St Paul’s Cathedral (where he sang at the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill), organ scholar of King’s College, Cambridge and sub-organist of Winchester Cathedral.

Peter Dyke, Assistant Director of Music at Hereford Cathedral, said: “Some years ago I remember hearing James play a well-known French toccata but transforming it with his brilliant technique and musicianship into something truly memorable. I’m very excited that he’s playing a concert at Hereford and the variety in the programme will demonstrate the colour and strength of the wonderful cathedral organ here. This is an evening that shouldn’t be missed!”

Throughout the summer months, Hereford Cathedral welcomes organists from across the country and further afield to perform on its world-famous Father Willis organ as part of its organ concert programme.

This evening gala concert will take place on Tuesday 19 September at 7pm with tickets costing £12 or £5 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Cathedral Shop on 01432 374210 or via the cathedral website.

To view the full programme of organ recitals and concerts click here.

 

Banner Image Credit: James Lancelot at his home organ c. Peter Dyke