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Feb 2022

Last Updated: 08/02/2022

Community

New series of monthly organ recitals to be held in Harrogate

by John Plummer

| 08 Feb, 2022

The series, which begins tomorrow, will see some of the country's finest organists give hour-long recitals on the new digital organ at St Wilfrid's Church on Duchy Road.

A new series of monthly organ recitals will begin in Harrogate tomorrow.

The series will see some of the country's finest organists give hour-long recitals on the new digital organ at St Wilfrid's Church on Duchy Road.

The organ console will be situated in the middle of the nave, which should enhance the audience experience.

Anthony Gray, director of music at St Wilfrid's, said:

"We are beginning the fundraising process to restore our pipe organ, which will cost over £500,000.

"This series should be an excellent showcase of the capability of digital organs, and in our relatively cavernous acoustic, it sounds very exciting and rich."

Mr Gray, who is among the organists due to play in the series in the Grade 1 listed building, added he was trying to offer something different to organ recitals held in places like Bradford, Leeds and Ripon by giving each recital a short title, hinting at what is on the programme.

He added:

"We are also offering some slightly different recital experience with a jazz recital next month, a showcase of the entire music department in the summer, and some interesting celebrations of specific composers too."

John Longstaff, from St Peter's Church in Harrogate will begin the series this week. Alexander Berry, from Bradford Cathedral and David Pipe, from Newcastle Cathedral, are among the names that will follow.

The concerts will take place on, or as close to as possible, the first Wednesday evening of each month, beginning at 7:30pm. Admission is £6; under-18s are free,

The full programme is here.