Organ Recital

The 2024 Cathedral Organ Recital Series welcomes first-rate organists to play Truro’s acclaimed Father Willis Organ. This week we welcome John Keys. This recital will be live-streamed on this page at 13:10 and our YouTube channel

Programme

Grand Jeu (3ième Livre d’Orgue) by Louis Marchand (1669-1732)
Five Short Pieces by Percy Whitlock (1903-1946)
1. Allegretto
2. Folk Tune
3. Andante tranquillo
4. Scherzo
5. Paean
Rosace (Esquisses Byzantines) by Henri Mulet (1878-1967)
Choral No.2 in b by César Franck (1822-1890)
Postlude in D by Henry Smart (1813-1979)

Bio

John Keys, an honorary fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians, has been director of music at St Mary's Church, Nottingham since 1984, and has fostered a flourishing musical life in the Church, as well as following an independent career as a solo organist, continuo player, accompanist and conductor. He is also Nottingham City organist, Nottingham University organist and vice chairman of the Nottingham Albert Hall Binns Organ Trustee Committee.

Born and educated in Chester, John obtained the Diplomas of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in organ playing while still at school. After A-levels he was assistant organist at Chester Cathedral for nearly three years before going up to New College, Oxford, as organ scholar.

After graduating in 1981 he went to Geneva to complete his organ studies at the Conservatoire with Lionel Rogg, where he won several prizes. In 1984 he won First Prize at the Fourth Manchester International Organ Competition.

John has produced many recordings of pieces, and also one of the world’s largest collections of organ hymn accompaniments.

He has played in France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, Gibraltar, Ukraine, Switzerland, Malta, the USA and Australia, as well as widely in the British Isles. He has appeared as organist, accompanist, continuo player and conductor on Radio Suisse Romande, Télévision de La Suisse Romande, Netherlands Radio, Radio France and for the BBC.

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