The organs
Summer Organ Festival
Discover the Abbey’s awe-inspiring grand organ at our Organ Festival this Summer.
The Abbey’s magnificent five-manual Harrison & Harrison organ takes centre stage as we present a Coronation-inspired Summer Organ Festival from 12th July to 6th August 2023.
Hear Richard Hills, Peter Holder and Matthew Jorysz bring the Coronation organ to life at our Tuesday evening concerts, find out more about the ‘king of instruments’ and its place in the musical life of the Abbey at our music-themed Late event, and enjoy free Sunday afternoon performances from the rising stars of the organ world at our Young Artist Platform recitals.
Main festival concerts
The main festival concerts take place on Tuesday evenings from 18th July - 1st August. Tickets cost £15 (concessions £12) and are on sale now.
Tuesday 18th July, 6.30pm – Richard Hills
Renowned concert and theatre organist Richard Hills presents a characteristically entertaining programme of Coronation-inspired music.
Tuesday 25th July, 6.30pm – Matthew Jorysz
Abbey Assistant Organist Matthew Jorysz plays works by Elgar and Holst alongside Iain Farrington’s Voices of the World, the premiere of which he gave at The Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen earlier this year.
Tuesday 1st August, 6.30pm – Peter Holder
Abbey Sub-Organist Peter Holder gives the world premiere of Errollyn Wallen’s Variations on a Dance (commissioned by the Eric Thompson Trust) in a programme which also includes works by Handel and Parry.
Abbey Late: Music
Wednesday 12th July, 4.30pm
Join us for a special music-themed Abbey Late and explore the Abbey’s rich musical heritage. Find out about the role of its musicians and mighty organ in the great State occasions which take place here, including the recent Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen.
Tickets cost £13 adults and £6 for children. Book your tickets.
Young Artist Platform
The Young Artist recitals will run from 23rd July - 6th August. Admission is free and you do not need to book in advance.
Sunday 23rd July, 5.00pm
Efisio Aresu (Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music)
Nominated by the Keyboard Trust
Sunday 30th July, 5.00pm
Miriam Reveley (Organ Scholar, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle)
FRCO prize-winner
Sunday 6th August, 5.00pm
Dewi Rees (Organ Scholar, Westminster Abbey)
Festival support
The Summer Organ Festival takes place thanks to the generous support of David Keltner and the late Patricia Owen Keltner.
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SubscribeDetails regarding the Young Artist Platform will be announced in Spring 2023.
