We are delighted that the following recitals will be taking place throughout the year. Admission is free but all will have a retiring collection in aid of the Grand Organ Appeal. Please come and support these events if you are able.
During the week of 20 June, we hosted two separate Grand Organ Experience events to raise money in support of the appeal. On Tuesday, Elaine Beck and her sister Jennifer Bayliss, came to play the organ. Whilst a very musical duo, they didn’t have any previous experience playing the organ. Under the tutelage of our Assistant Director Music, Alexander Hamilton, they were able find out how this ‘King of Instruments’ works, and how to get the best from it. They reported that the experience had been ‘fascinating’!
On Thursday it was Michael Warren’s turn to play the Cathedral organ, this time under the guidance of Jeremy Cole, Director Music. His wife Sally had been looking for a special, unique gift as a birthday surprise. With contributions made by family and friends she booked the evening and kept it a secret from Michael. Already a competent keyboard player, Michael had previously played the organ but never on an instrument on the scale and power of our Cathedral organ. Michael was told about his birthday gift a few days before and so was able to prepare a number of pieces, including some jazz numbers and show tunes. It is not often that the exotic tones of ‘Bali Hai’ are heard wafting down the Cathedral Nave! Most interesting was that Michael played some of his numbers twice, using different sounds as guided by Jeremy Cole. This demonstrated just how flexible, subtle and nuanced the organ can be when the most appropriate stops are being used for a particular piece of music. The evening was an emotional one and a tear or two were shed by his four guests who listened from the Quire.
If you would like to join us at Wells Cathedral for your own Grand Organ Experience please click here for details.
Elaine and Jenny with Assistant Director of Music, Alexander Hamilton, and Precentor, Canon Nicholas Jepson-Biddle
Michael with Director of Music, Jeremy Cole
On the evening of Saturday 21 May, a large and excited audience gathered in the Cathedral to listen to the Gala Organ Concert in aid of the Friends of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal. The evening’s performer was internationally renowned organ virtuoso, David Briggs, currently Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City.
Following a highly entertaining and informative introduction to the programme from Maestro Briggs, the audience was treated to an extremely fine concert including works by Franz Schmidt, Maurice Ravel, Charles-Marie Widor, and an incredibly improvised Scherzo. The second half of the concert was devoted to Briggs’ own transcription of Vaughan-Williams’ Fifth Symphony, which demonstrated the full potential of the Cathedral organ along with a display of musicality and virtuosity which surely left no-one unmoved.
The concert was enhanced by a video link to the ‘cockpit’, which showed the complexity and physicality involved in such world-class organ playing. We would like to thank everyone who attended the concert, as well as expressing our sincere gratitude to David Briggs. We were truly privileged to welcome to Wells one of the world’s finest organists.
David Briggs Gala Organ Recital
“…one of the world’s greatest contemporary organists” (New York Times)
Join us on the evening of Saturday 21st May 2022 for an evening of exceptional music making by David Briggs, consistently ranked as one of the finest organists of his generation. Internationally renowned, Briggs’s performances are acclaimed for their musicality and his ability to excite and engage audiences of all ages.
Gala Organ Recital - Musical Programme
Prelude and Fugue in D major ‘Hallelujah’ - Franz Schmidt (1874-1939)
Pavane pour une infante défunte - Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) transcribed by David Briggs (2017)
Improvisation: Scherzo Symphonique
Symphonie VI - Charles Marie-Widor (1844-1937)
Adagio - FInale - Vivace
INTERVAL
Symphony No. 5 in D Major - Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) transcribed by David Briggs (2019)
Preludio - Scherzo - Romanza - Passacaglia
About David Briggs
Known for his unbridled virtuosity and passion for making organ music vibrant and accessible to a wide and diverse audience, Briggs is one of the most sought-after concert organists of his generation.
At the age of 17, he obtained his FRCO (Fellow of the Royal College of Organists) diploma, winning the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. From 1981-84 he was Organ Scholar at King’s College Cambridge, during which time he also studied with Jean Langlais in Paris.
He teaches performance at Cambridge University, frequently serves on international organ competition juries, and gives master classes at colleges and conservatories across the US and Europe.
Briggs has held numerous positions in North America and the UK. He is currently Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City.
About the Friends of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal
The Friends of Wells Cathedral aims to raise the £2m needed to restore and improve the Cathedral organ. New ranges of pipes will be added and existing pipes will be given a new lease of life. The result will be the best organ our Cathedral has ever had – fit for the 21st Century – our Grand Organ. Read more…
On Thursday 20th January, Richard Kerton-Welch, accompanied by his wife Lisa and mother Sue, visited the Cathedral after evensong to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play the magnificent Cathedral organ. Richard may be a familiar face to many Wells residents as he is the store manager at the High Street Branch of CanDo4You – our very own shoe repairer and engraver par excellence! This Grand Organ Experience was given to him as a gift by two good friends to mark Richard’s many years of service as organist at St Mary Magdalene in Wookey Hole.
During the evening Richard played a number of pieces he had personally selected. The programme was wide ranging and included:
Air and Gavotte - John Sanders
Cebell - Henry Purcell & Festive Procession - Paul Bryan (Richard’s own merged concept!)
Largo from 'Xerxes' - George Frideric Handel
Minuet from 'Samson' - George Frideric Handel
Gymnopedie No.1 - Erik Satie
‘I dreamed a dream’ from Les Miserables - Claude-Michel Schönberg
Communion - Malcolm Archer
The evening was concluded when Director of Music Jeremy Cole played Elgar’s magnificent Imperial March with Richard watching up close in the organ loft. Throughout the evening, Jeremy was coaching Richard on how to get the most out of the Cathedral organ and from time to time adjusted the stops to ensure maximum impact from the music being played. Richard filmed the entire event in the loft whilst sound recordings were made by his wife Lisa who was sitting in the Quire.
Richard said: “It has been a lifelong dream to have the chance to play the Wells Cathedral Organ. After decades playing the organ in Wookey Hole, the big step up to one of the biggest and best organs in the country was an exciting prospect. The whole evening is one I shall never forget and I want to thank Jeremy Cole, the Cathedral Friends and most especially my wonderful friends at St Mary’s Wookey Hole for giving me this fantastic opportunity. This is an amazing appeal and I would encourage everyone to support it in any way they can.”
If you would like to support the Friends of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal by arranging your own Grand Organ Experience or would like to gift the opportunity to a friend or loved one, please click here for more information
Enjoying a pre-experience drink with Jeremy Cole (right)
Richard ascends the stairs to the organ loft
On Thursday 18th November, the Friends of Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal was launched in front of a large audience of invited guests. Representatives of the Friends, the Cathedral, the City of Wells, and the County of Somerset gathered in the nave for this important occasion.
The Dean, The Very Reverend Dr John Davies, welcomed the Lord Lieutenant and the other assembled guests to a special recital which was played by no fewer than five organists. After a welcome drink, he explained that every 50 years or so the organ has to undergo a full refurbishment. It is, after all, a working instrument that is played every day of the year to accompany the Cathedral Choir as well as local and visiting choirs. On top of this, it is played regularly in concerts, recitals, and used to accompany events which take place in the Cathedral. This constant use since its last overhaul back in the 1970s means it is now beginning to sound very tired and at times somewhat underwhelming. The time has come to bring it back to its full potential as a truly glorious Grand Organ for Wells Cathedral.
David Morgan-Hewitt, the Chairman of The Grand Organ Appeal, announced that over £300,000 of the £2 million required to undertake this vital project has already been given or pledged. He went on to explain the ways in which we can all help by donating to the appeal. “The backbone of our fundraising is the Regular Giving Programme but you can also give one off donations, provide a legacy in your will or Adopt a Pipe. There are even opportunities to play the organ and hold a private recital for special occasions.” The Chairman then suggested we all go and check out the website for details of these unique packages.
We then heard from the five organists. During an entertaining discussion, they gave their views on our instrument and how it compares to others they have played, recounted their personal journeys to becoming professional organists, and told us some of the funniest and most vexing moments of their careers. For many this was a highlight of the evening as we had an opportunity to get to know something about the people who make this organ sing.
Following a short film explaining the many challenges with the organ at the moment, given by Harrison and Harrison who maintain our organ, the recital began. Each of the organists played two of their favourite pieces whilst a live video feed allowed those in the nave to watch the incredible virtuosity of our passionate musicians. Finally, David Bednall entertained us with one of his famous improvisations whilst we all tried to identify the advent carols and popular songs hidden deep in the music.
Following the event, we have received some great feedback, with a number of guests commenting that the occasion had been an inspiring, enjoyable and informative evening. The amazing virtuosity of our organists made the very best of our slightly tired organ and we all headed out into the autumn evening to the strains of Widor’s famous Toccata, known to brides across the world!
On Thursday 18th November at 6.45pm, The Friends of Wells Cathedral will be hosting an uplifting evening of musical entertainment in the Cathedral Nave to celebrate the formal launch of the Grand Organ Appeal. Featuring a number of talented organists, we will experience the power, magnificence and flexibility of the Cathedral organ through their musical choices. We will also find out some more about the lives of the organists, who are often invisible to the congregation, despite the crucial role they play in the musical life of the Cathedral. The evening will also provide an opportunity to find out more about what’s wrong with the instrument, how we plan to raise the money to fix it and how you can help.
If you are interested in attending and would like to receive an invitation, please email us at OrganAppeal@wellsfriends.org detailing your name, address, telephone number and the name of a companion/guest if applicable.