The new organ recital series, in memory of Mr Theo Saunders,
the former organist of St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, will begin on Sunday 4 September 2016 at 4.15pm in the Cathedral.
The recitalist will be the Cathedral's Assistant Organist,
the Revd Dr Peter Thompson who said, "It is a particular privilege to give the inaugural recital in memory of Theo, because it was Theo who encouraged me to return to the organ bench after almost a decade of not playing at all. In 2010 he asked me to play for two weeks while he was unwell, and after much coaxing and encouraging I reluctantly agreed. Two weeks became four, four became eight, and the rest, as they say, is history!"
Peter has chosen works to reflect the significant anniversaries which occur this year, including the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the composer Charles Wood, the one hundredth anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, and the ninetieth birthday of the Queen. Each of these events has inspired the programme, which will open with Elgar's ‘Imperial March’ and conclude with his famous ‘Pomp and Circumstance March No.1’, also known as ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. Between these two ever-popular marches there will be a selection of pieces by Charles Wood, by his teachers Hubert Parry and Charles Villiers Stanford, and by his pupils Herbert Howells and Ralph Vaughan Williams, each relating to one or more of the anniversaries.
The Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Gregory Dunstan said, “It is fitting that this new series of organ recitals is given in Theo’s memory. His thirteen years of service at this Cathedral marked the summit of his musical career, and he found great happiness among the people of Armagh. His work endures especially in those whom he taught, and it is particularly appropriate that many of the recitals in these Cathedral series are given by people towards the beginning of their musical careers,”
As with all the recitals in this series, admission is free. The retiring collection will go towards the cost of a new piano for the Cathedral Choir’s rehearsal room.
For further information, please contact:
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral: Tel. 028 37523142