Alexander Pott Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Thursday 23rd January 2014 I attended the Alexander Pott Lunchtime Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral. This free recital performed by the Organ Scholar at Christ Church, Oxford featured work by Bach, Vierne and Franck.

The programme consisted of Toccata in F BWV 540 - Bach, Etoile du Soir, Op. 54 No.3 - Vierne, Trio Sonata I (Allegro - Adagio - Allegro) BWV 525 - Bach and Choral III - Franck.

Alexander Pott has performed at Coventry Cathedral, Chelmsford Cathedral, and this year has been invited to give a recital at the London Handel Festival in April. He is currently studying for a degree in music at Oxford University, where he studies the organ with Thomas Trotter and is Organ Scholar at Christ Church Cathedral.

This was another wonderful lunchtime Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral with an amazing programme of music. My favourite piece was Franck's Choral III. It is always a great experience to hear the Norwich Cathedral Organ.

Kris Thomsett Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

I began 2014 with a trip to Norwich Cathedral for the Kris Thomsett New Year's Day Organ Recital on Wednesday 1st January 2014. Kris Thomsett is currently Organ Scholar of Norwich Cathedral, a post he will hold for the next two years whilst completing a degree in music at the University of East Anglia.

The programme consisted of Carillon de Westminster - Vierne, Sleigh Ride arr. T.Trotter - Anderson, Fugue in D BWV532 - Bach, Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland BWV659 - Bach, Les Enfants De Dieu from La Nativite - Messiaen, Noel Etranger - Daquin, Noel Suisse - Daquin, Final from Triptyque - Langlais and Festmusikk - Takle.

This was a wonderful Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral and a fantastic way to start the new year. The programme consisted of many various pieces but you can't get much better then listening to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach being performed on the Norwich Cathedral Organ.

John McGreal Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Thursday 14th November 2013 I attended the John McGreal Lunchtime Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral which featured work by Bach, Vierne and Daquin. This was another great opportunity for Norwich workers to listen to some fantastic music during their lunch breaks.

The programme consisted of Ciacona in e minor, BuxWV 160 - Buxtehude, Chorale Prelude on: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 659 - Come now, Saviour of the Heathen - Bach, Prelude and Wedge Fugue in e minor BWV 548 - Bach, Noel: A l'Etranger - Daquin, From:24 Pieces en Style Libre - Berceuse - Vierne and Toccata in D Major - Lanquetuit.

John McGreal read music while organ scholar at Peterhouse, Cambridge where he studied organ with David Rowland and Peter Hurford. He then continued his studies at the Royal College of Music in organ with Nicholas Danby and harpsichord with Ruth Dyson. From 1999 - 2011 he was Organist at the London Oratory where he maintained and developed the role of the organ in the liturgy. He has been based in Norwich since 2011 and now plays at the Shrine Church of St. Julian of Norwich.

I greatly enjoyed this brilliant Organ Recital from John McGreal at Norwich Cathedral. My particular favourite pieces being the music of J.S. Bach which filled the Cathedral and the audience with lots of joy.

Tom Etheridge Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Thursday 11th July 2013 I attended the Tom Etheridge Big Screen Lunchtime Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral. There was a wonderful varied programme of organ music at this popular monthly event.

The programme consisted of Carillon from 24 Pieces en Style Libre Op.31 - Vierne, Deuxieme Fantaisie - Alain, Canonic Variations on Vom Himmel hoch BWV 769a - Bach, Hornpipe Humouresque - Rawsthorne, Chorale Prelude and Fugue on O Traurigkeit, O Herzeleid - Brahms and Dankpsalm Op.145 No.2 - Reger.

Tom Etheridge is the current Organ Scholar at Gloucester Cathedral where he accompanies and conducts the Cathedral and Youth Choirs. Tom began learning the organ at King's College School, Cambridge, where he was a Chorister in the College Choir, before going on to Eton College as a music and academic scholar.

This was a fantastic lunchtime at Norwich Cathedral with Tom Etheridge performed a wonderful Organ Recital which featured work by Vierne, Brahms, Alain and Bach. Noel Rawsthorne's Hornpipe Humouresque put smiles on all our faces.

Ben Morris Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Thursday 18th April 2013 I went to Norwich Cathedral for the Ben Morris Big Screen Lunchtime Organ Recital. This was another opportunity for the music lovers of Norwich to experience more splendid organ music at this historic venue.

The programme consisted of Toccata in F BuxWV 156 - Buxtehude, Dies sind heilgen zehen Gebot BWV 678 - Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C BWV 547 - Bach, Chanson de Matin Op.15 No.2 - Elgar trans. A Herbert Brewer, Invocation and Dance - Morgan, Allegro vivace from Symphonie No.1 in D minor Op.14 - Vierne and Toccata from Pieces de Fantaisie Suite No.2 Op.53 - Vierne.

Ben Morris is Junior Organ Scholar and a Foundation Scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge, in his second year studying for a degree in Music. As Organ Scholar he accompanies the College's two choirs for regular Chapel services, assists the training of the boys choristers, occasionally conducts rehearsals and services, and accompanies their numerous concerts, tours and recordings.

I very much enjoyed this Organ Recital which included music composed by Dietrich Buxtehude, Johann Sebastian Bach and Louis Vierne. These big screen events are now becoming established at Norwich Cathedral and are a welcome addition to the music events in the fine city of Norwich.

David Dunnett Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Monday 1st April 2013 I attended the David Dunnett Bank Holiday Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral. The Cathedral's Organist gave us a Easter treat by performing a varied selection of organ classics. David Dunnett is a busy organ recitalist both here and abroad and also regularly accompanies singers and instrumentalists on the organ, harpsichord and piano. He is also the Choral Conductor of the Norwich Philharmonic Society.

The programme consisted of Festival Toccata - Fletcher, Allegro (from Concerto in A minor) - Vivaldi (arr. Bach), Romance (Symphony No.4) - Vierne, Concert Rondo - Hollins, Rosace - Mulet and Overture - Die Meistersinger - Wagner (arr. Westbrook).

This was a fun and jolly Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral on Easter Bank Holiday Monday which was very much enjoyed by the large audience in attendance. These events are a great opportunity to visit this splendid historic Cathedral combined with listening to some wonderful music.

Kris Thomsett Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Thursday 14th February 2013 I attended the Big Screen Lunchtime Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral which featured the Cathedral's Organ Scholar Kris Thomsett performing a varied programme of organ classics. Once again there was a large audience in attendance to enjoy the wonderful and beautiful music being performed.

The programme consisted of Prelude and Fugue in C BWV 545 - Bach, Touch her lips and part (from Henry V) - Walton, Meditation - Durufle, Chaconne in E minor BuxWV 160 - Buxtehude, Adagio from Symphonie III Op 28 - Vierne, Marche des Rois Mages - Dubois and Final from Symphonie I Op 14 - Vierne.

There were a lot of tranquil pieces in today's programme which made for a relaxing time at Norwich Cathedral. This is especially welcome during a lunchtime break from work. Kris Thomsett once again put on a great performance which was very well appreciated by the enthusiastic audience.

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.

New Year's Day Organ Recital at Norwich Cathedral

On Tuesday 1st January 2013 I attended the New Year's Day Organ Recital from Kris Thomsett at Norwich Cathedral which delivered some New Year cheer with a varied programme of organ favourites. The programme consisted of Carillon de Westminster - Vierne, Praeludium in C Bux137 - Buxtehude, Wachet Auf Ruft Uns Die Stimme BWV 645 - Bach, Dialogue Sur Les Mixtures - Langlais, Radetzky March - Johann Strauss, Toccata (Symphony No.5) - Widor and Hornpipe Humoresque - Rawsthorne.  Elgar's Nimod was added to the programme by Kris on the day.

Kris Thomsett is currently Organ Scholar of Norwich Cathedral, a post he will hold for the next three years whilst completing a degree in music at the University of East Anglia. Prior to coming to Norwich, Kris was Organ Scholar of Chelmsford Cathedral in Essex for his gap year. His role in Chelmsford, similar to that here, involved accompanying the daily services and regularly playing for the Cathedral Girls Choir.

Kris started the organ at the age of twelve, and at the age of fourteen was appointed Organ Scholar of All Saints parish church in Maidstone (Kent). After being there for just over a year, Kris then moved on to become Organ Scholar of the King's School in Rochester where he accompanied the schools' services in the Cathedral. Whilst there, Kris studied the organ with Roger Sayer. As well as playing the organ, Kris enjoys singing and has sung counter-tenor in Rochester, Chelmsford, and now Norwich, Cathedrals

This was a wonderful way to start the New Year as Norwich Cathedral was filled with wonderful organ music from the brilliant piece by Buxtehude to the traditional march from Johann Strauss. Kris Thomsett finished the recital with the jolly Hornpipe Humoresque which put lots of smiles on faces in the audience.