Liverpool Cathedral is marking the 100th anniversary of its Grand Organ with a month-long programme of exhibitions, talks, family activities and performances, culminating in a special centenary recital.
‘Organ October’ will celebrate a century of the Cathedral’s Grand Organ, the largest pipe organ in the UK, ahead of the 100th anniversary of its dedication in 1926.
The celebrations begin with Organ 100, a free exhibition exploring the history, craftsmanship and musical legacy of one of Liverpool Cathedral’s most iconic features.
Running from Monday 5 October until Saturday 31 October, the exhibition will tell the story of the Grand Organ’s creation and development through photographs, memories and archive material, while celebrating the organ builders, musicians and other figures who have shaped its history.
From the week commencing 20 October, the exhibition will continue in a reduced format in the Cathedral’s choir aisles.
Organ 100 will also pay tribute to Professor Ian Tracey, who retires as Liverpool Cathedral Organist in October after 46 years of service.
Appointed in 1980 as Britain’s youngest cathedral organist, Professor Tracey has gone on to become one of the country’s most respected musicians.
Alongside his work at Liverpool Cathedral, he has served as Liverpool City Organist, Guest Director of Music for the BBC’s Daily Service, and Professor, Fellow and Organist at Liverpool John Moores University.
In 2006, the University of Liverpool awarded him the degree of Doctor of Music in recognition of his contribution to music.
A series of special events will take place throughout Organ October, including talks and demonstrations on Thursday 8 October and Thursday 15 October.
Led by Liverpool Cathedral Deputy Organist Ian Wells and Geoff Williams, former Organ Scholar and Director of Music at St Anne’s Stanley, the sessions will explore the history of the Grand Organ, share stories from its past and demonstrate the scale and musical capabilities of the instrument.
You can book tickets for the talks and demonstrations online here.
Families will also be able to take part in music-themed craft sessions during the October half-term, celebrating the Grand Organ’s 100-year connection with Liverpool and the Cathedral.
The centrepiece of the programme will be a special 100th anniversary Evensong and Organ Recital, taking place exactly a century after the Grand Organ was dedicated.
The anniversary recital will follow Choral Evensong, continuing a tradition that has taken place every year since the organ’s dedication.
Professor Ian Tracey will give the landmark performance, marking the end of his tenure as Cathedral Organist while celebrating 100 years of an instrument regarded as one of the finest examples of British organ craftsmanship.
The centenary is also being marked by the publication of a new book by Peter Lynan, a former Liverpool Cathedral chorister and organ scholar.
The Grand Organ of Liverpool Cathedral: A History charts the instrument’s story across 267 pages and features both colour and historic greyscale images.
The book is available in paperback, with a limited number of signed hardback editions also available.
Organ October will run throughout October at Liverpool Cathedral, celebrating the Grand Organ’s place in the musical and cultural history of the city and the generations of people who have helped keep its music alive.
The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, said:
“For 100 years, the Grand Organ has been at the heart of worship, music and life at Liverpool Cathedral. Its sound has marked moments of joy, reflection and remembrance for countless people, becoming an enduring part of both our cathedral and the city. This October gives us an opportunity to celebrate not only this landmark instrument, but also the people whose passion has ensured its music continues to inspire generations.”
Professor Ian Tracey, Organist at Liverpool Cathedral, said:
“I am delighted that the Cathedral is celebrating the centenary of the organ with a major exhibition documenting the history of this iconic instrument and the three organists who have presided for over a century.”
Val Jackson MBE, Cathedral Archivist, said:
“The Grand Organ is one of the Cathedral’s most significant treasures, and this exhibition brings together a century of stories, memories and archival material that celebrates its rich history. It has been a privilege to help share these stories and mark the enduring legacy of the organ as we look ahead to the next 100 years.”
To find out more, visit the website.
