Ashley Grote Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Thursday 20th March 2014 I attended the Ashley Grote Lunchtime Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral. This free event given by the Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral featured a wonderful programme of music.

The programme consisted of Variations on Weinen, klagen, sorgen, sagen - Liszt, Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor BWV 582 - Bach and Prelude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain Op 7 - Durufle.

Ashley Grote joined Norwich Cathedral as Master of Music in September 2012 having previously held posts as Assistant Director of Music at Gloucester Cathedral, Assistant Organist of Westminster Abbey and Organ Scholar of King's College, Cambridge. As Master of Music, he directs the Cathedral boys' and girls' choirs as well as Norwich Cathedral Consort.

This was another wonderful Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral full of amazing music which was greatly appreciated by the audience in attendance. My favourite piece was Durufle's Prelude et Fugue sur le nom d'Alain.

Sequence of Music for Remembrance-tide at Norwich Cathedral

On the evening of Thursday 14th November 2013 I was back at Norwich Cathedral for the Norwich Cathedral Consort's performance of Sequence of Music for Remembrance-tide. The Consort were conducted by Ashley Grote with organist Kris Thomsett.

The programme consisted of Hear my prayer - Purcell, Valiant-for-truth - Vaughan Williams, Agnus Dei - Barber, Rhapsody III in C sharp minor, Op 17 - Howells, Take him earth, for cherishing - Howells, Elegy - Thalben Ball, Bring us, O Lord - Harris, Never weather beaten sail - Parry and For the fallen - Guest.

The Norwich Cathedral Consort performed wonderfully along with Ashley Grote and Kris Thomsett. This was a moving and emotional event at Norwich Cathedral which took place in the Presbytery.

Ashley Grote Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Monday 27th May 2013 I attended the Ashley Grote Bank Holiday Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral which featured a special programme of music to celebrate the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation. Ashley Grote is the Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral, he directs the Cathedral boy's and girl's choirs as well as Norwich Cathedral Consort.

The programme consisted of Coronation March - Orb and Sceptre - Walton, Prelude on Rhosymedre - Vaughan Williams, Trumpet Tune - Purcell, Organ Concerto in F Op 4 in G - Handel, Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 in G - Elgar, Prelude in E flat BWV 552 - Bach and Variations on America - Ives.

This was a wonderful morning's music at Norwich Cathedral which marked the 60th anniversary of The Queen's Coronation. Charles Ives write Variations on America in 1891, which he premiered at a recital celebrating the Fourth of July. The piece takes the tune of God Save The Queen through a series of fairly standard but witty variations. This proved to be an amazing and perfect way to finish this fantastic organ recital.

St. John Passion at Norwich Cathedral

On the evening of Saturday 23rd March 2013 I attended the Norwich Cathedral Choir and Norwich Baroque's performance of J S Bach's St. John Passion at Norwich Cathedral. The role of the Evangelist was played by young tenor, William Blake who is one the UK’s rising singing stars. The role of Christ was sung by Bradley Travis, leading bass soloist from the Royal College of Music. The distinguished soprano, Amy Carson was joined by other soloists from within the Norwich Cathedral Choir.

Bach wrote his Passion according to St John for the service of Vespers at St Nicholas’ Church in Leipzig in 1724. It is without doubt one of the most dramatic representations of the Passion story, the striking narration and crowd scenes interspersed with reflective arias and chorales that are amongst the most beautiful Bach ever composed. And when from death you waken me, let my unworthy eyes then see with tears of joy, my soul's reward; my Saviour and my risen Lord! O Jesus Christ, give ear to me, and let me praise Thee endlessly.

This performance directed by Norwich Cathedral's Master of Music Ashley Grote was very inspirational and proved to be a special night. There was a large crowd in attendance as we were moved to reflect on the sufferings of Christ and his joyful resurrection. The concert took place on the eve of Palm Sunday and it marked the start of the Cathedral’s observance of Holy Week and Easter. J S Bach's St. John Passion is a sacred oratorio masterpiece and was performed wonderfully by the Norwich Cathedral Choir, Norwich Baroque and all the soloists.

Ashley Grote Big Screen Organ Recital

On Thursday 24th January 2013 I attended the big screen lunchtime organ recital at Norwich Cathedral performed by the Cathedral's Master of Music Ashley Grote. The programme consisted of Allegro from Symphonie II in E minor Op 20 - Vierne, Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 532 - Bach, Choral Song and Fugue - Wesley and Variations sur un vieux Noel Op 20 - Dupre.

Ashley Grote was a chorister at King's College, Cambridge and continued his education as a music scholar at Uppingham School. After a year as organ scholar at St George's Cathedral, Cape Town, he returned to study for a degree in music as King's College, Cambridge. As organ scholar at King's he performed internationally with the world-famous choir and accompanied numerous recordings, radio and television broadcasts including the annual 'Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols'.

Ashley has subsequently held posts as Organist-in-residence at Tonbridge School (2004-05), assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey (2005-08) and assistant Director of Music at Gloucester Cathedral (2008-12). During his time at Gloucester, he has performed in the Three Choirs Festival, the Cheltenham Music Festival, with Gloucester and Bristol Choral Societies, the Philharmonia, Royal Philharmonic and Bournemouth Symphony orchestras. He has also directed the Cathedral's flourishing Youth Choir, Ross-on-Wye Choral Society and the St Cecilia Singers, a Gloucester-based chamber choir. Ashley was also involved in the Edington Music Festival, first as Organist (2007-09) and then Director (2010-12).

Ashley has studied the organ with Nicolas Kynaston in London since 2002. As a soloist and accompanist he has performed throughout the UK, USA and Europe and been broadcast extensively on BBC Radio and Television. His first solo recording of organ symphonies by Louis Viente was released in June.

Despite the freezing weather conditions, an audience of over 70 spectators witnessed Ashley Grote perform a number of organ classics during the 40 minute recital. This was a brilliant way to spend my lunchtime with Norwich Cathedral being only a 10 minute walk from work for me. The programme of music was very varied and evoked lots of different emotions during the recital. These lunchtime recital are a wonderful idea by Norwich Cathedral and I'm already looking forward to the next one in February.