Summer of music at York Minster
A summer of music at York Minster starts on Friday (5 June) with a series of promenades designed to allow visitors to enjoy awe-inspiring music from the Minster’s magnificent organ while exploring the gothic cathedral.
The organ promenades will run every Friday at 1.10pm throughout June and feature the cathedral’s resident organists, who will use the instrument’s 5,200 plus pipes to perform a range of enjoyable pieces.
The informal sessions will last 45 minutes and visitors can choose either to sit down and watch the performances in the Minster’s vast Nave or wander around the cathedral, enjoying the music as an accompaniment to their visit.
“The organ promenades are an opportunity for visitors to experience the sound of York Minster’s magnificent organ in a relaxed and informal atmosphere,” explains Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster.
“The four week programme features a mix of music which will really showcase not only the organ and the incredible variety of sounds and tones it can create, but also the skills of the players.”
The programme starts with York Minster’s Organ Scholar George Lacey on 5 June, followed on 12 June by Timothy Hone, Music and Liturgy Manager at York Minster. The organist on 19 June will be David Pipe, Assistant Director of Music at York Minster and the programme concludes on 26 June with Robert Sharpe, Director of Music at York Minster.
The promenades are part of a summer of music at York Minster which includes Britten’s War Requiem by the University of York Choir and Symphony Orchestra on 17 June and performances by The Sixteen, Huelgas Ensemble and Taverner between 4 and 8 July as part of the York Early Music Festival.
The programme concludes with a series of organ recitals by some of England’s most talented organists every Saturday evening from 25 July to 29 August.
The organ promenades will take place every Friday from 5 to 29 June at 1.10pm. All the performances are included within normal admission to York Minster, so anyone who has bought a ticket to visit the cathedral in the last 12 months will be able to enjoy all four concerts free of charge. Entrance to the Minster is free for York residents with a valid YorkCard.
For more information, visit www.yorkminster.org
ENDS
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Leanne Woodhurst – Communications Manager – t: 01904 559545 m: 07557 110718
Sharon Atkinson – Director of Communications – t: 01904 557248 m: 07785 615457
