Organ Recital
The 2024 Cathedral Organ Recital Series welcomes first-rate organists to play Truro’s acclaimed Father Willis Organ. This week we welcome Jeffrey Williams. This recital will be live-streamed on this page at 13:10 and our YouTube channel
Programme
Theme and Variations by Hendrik Andriessen (1892-1981)
Choral Dorien by Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Prelude & Fugue in C minor BWV 546 by J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Organ Fantasy O Paradise by Malcolm Williamson (1931-2003)
Benedictus by Max Reger (1873-1916)
Sarabande for the Morning of Easter by Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Bio
Jeffrey is a proud Cornishman and grew up just outside Camborne. His first organ lessons were at Camborne Centenary Methodist Church and St Mary’s Church, Penzance. After leaving Redruth Grammar School he read music at Bath and studied organ and choir training with Dudley Holroyd at Bath Abbey. Following a post-graduate course in Music Education at Bristol University he went on to teach at schools both in the state and independent sectors, and after 27 years in music education Jeffrey left full-time teaching in order to pursue a freelance career, having already joined the panel of Music Examiners for Trinity College, London in 1999 and for whom he examined for 25 years.
Jeffrey enjoyed a long period of association with the music at Romsey Abbey that included 8 years as Assistant Organist and 14 years as Organist and Master of the Choristers, during which time he established the choir as one of the largest and most successful all-male parish church choirs in the South of England. Under his direction, the Abbey Choir sang at most of the major cathedrals in the country, including three visits to Westminster Abbey and two concert tours to Holland. Jeffrey has worked with the Royal School of Church Music, both as an Examiner for the School’s Chorister Awards scheme and in directing choral workshops. As an organ recitalist he has played at many of the English cathedrals and major parish churches, as well as performances in France, Holland, the USA and Hong Kong. In December 2003 Jeffrey was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for his contribution to music.
In increasing demand as an adjudicator and as a member of the ISM’s International Guild of Adjudicators, Festivals and Workshop Presenters, recent engagements have included the Wadebridge Music Festival, Truro School Senior & Junior Music Competitions, Southampton Music Festival, Bangkok Youth Piano Competition and the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival. In 2021 Jeffrey realised a long-held ambition to return to his native county and settled on the outskirts of Camborne. Currently, he is the Director of Music at St Ives Parish Church and Organ Advisor to the Diocese of Truro. Today’s recital will be Jeffrey’s 12th at Truro Cathedral.
Live-stream
The series runs from March to October and each recital lasts around 45 minutes. There is no charge to attend or listen to these concerts. We rely on your support to help with the cost of maintaining the cathedral’s famous Father Willis Organ. Keeping the cathedral’s musical instruments in first-rate condition enables us to put on such recitals.
To give regularly by Direct Debit, please use the Parish Giving Scheme Single donations can be made through Just Giving
Popular donations are £5/person