Chester Cathedral will once again throw open its doors to the encounter we’ve all been waiting for – Battle of the Organs 2016. The skirmish will take place on Friday 20th May at 7.30pm.
After the huge success of Chester Cathedral’s first Battle of the Organs in 2015, the cathedral will host yet another monumental evening of organ music featuring Widor’s Toccata, Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Holst’s Jupiter from The Planets, amongst many other favourites. Lighter items from the theatre organ repertoire will provide additional musical variety.
The organists taking part are luminaries in their field and include Chester Cathedral Director of Music Philip Rushforth and Richard Hills, a master of both the classical and theatre organ. Geoffrey Woollatt from Manchester Cathedral and Chester Cathedral’s Assistant Organist Andrew Wyatt complete the talented line-up.
Using two digital, state-of-the-art organs, a chamber organ and the mighty cathedral Grand Organ, the four organists will play in various combinations to produce a memorable evening of music and entertainment. Dating from 1876, the Grand Organ has 4864 pipes and has been played virtually every day for nearly a century and a half.
The Grand Organ at Chester Cathedral is of huge historical significance and is a perfect example of superb British craftsmanship. £1m is needed to preserve and maintain the wonderful sound of the organ for the enjoyment of future generations. The Grand Organ Appeal will run for five years, until 2019.
Tickets are on sale for £10 and all proceeds will go towards the Grand Organ Appeal Fund. Call the Box Office on 01244 500959 or visit www.chestercathedral.com or collect tickets from the door on the night.
