Patriotic Pipes for summer Royal Recitals at York Minster
Saturday evenings, from 28 July to 15 September
York Minster’s music during this year’s Royal Maundy Thursday service was praised by academics and enthusiasts around the country, and this summer, fans of classical music are invited to continue the celebrations of the Jubilee year with a season of Summer Royal Recitals, taking place on Saturday evenings within York Minster.
Over eight consecutive Saturdays, from 28 July to 15 September, eight eminent organists will perform a series of concerts featuring a wide range of music including that inspired by Royal celebrations, including the jubilee celebrations of a number of historic monarchs.
The Summer Royal Recitals highlight much of the talent that has been nurtured and developed within York Minster, and includes three Organist Emeriti – Francis Jackson, performing on 4 August, John Scott Whiteley on 25 August and Philip Moore on 1 September – alongside the two organists currently responsible for the vast majority of music at services and celebrations. Assistant Director of Music, David Pipe performs on 11 August, and York Minster’s Director of Music, Robert Sharpe, on 15 September.
Completing the line-up will be three guest performers – Josef Miltshitzsky, who opens the concert series on 28 July, Keith Wright from York and formerly at Durham Cathedral who is playing at short notice on 18 August and the brilliant young virtuoso Nathan Laube from the USA, who is visiting as part of a European tour.
“York Minster has a remarkable organ in a remarkable acoustical environment. This concert series makes a special feature of our local players who know the instrument well and how to get the best out of it, as well as three distinguished visitors,” explains Robert Sharpe, who has put the programme together.
Each concert takes place at 7.00pm (doors open from 6.30pm) with tickets priced at £9.00 for adults, £8.00 for concessions and £4.00 for children (under 16). A season ticket, covering all eight concerts, is also available for £54 for adults, £48 for concessions and £24 for children. Tickets can be booked online at www.yorkminster.org or from the admission desks within York Minster itself.
The Summer Royal Recitals are part of York Minster’s ‘Best of British’ summer, reflecting both the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and York Minster’s support for Team GB at the Olympics, with a series of events and tours for people of all ages to show how York Minster truly is a bastion of Britishness and an inspiration for the nation. The programme includes events for children over the summer holidays, themed trips up the Central Tower to enjoy the cityscape views over York, and free tours around York Minster every Saturday at 2.30pm looking at some of the Eight Wonders of York Minster.
Coming soon:
Top British Country folk bank, The Unthanks, are also performing alongside the renowned Rastrick Brass Band on 17 August in an evening concert in the Nave.
Looking much further forward, in just 8 weeks, bookings open for the highly-popular Christmas Carol Concerts, featuring the Minster Choir. For the first time ever, there will be two concerts in 2012 owing to exceptional demand, so book early!
For more information, bookings and timings, please visit www.wonders.yorkminster.org
ENDS
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins
Tel: 0113 251 5698 / 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk
