For the first time since Storm Arwen, Worcester Cathedral’s quire organ will be back in action in time for the Organ’s Gala Anniversary Recital, which will take place on 21 January at 7.30pm, having been postponed from October 2022, due to the organ being out of action.

The Cathedral looks forward to welcoming James Lancelot (Canon Emeritus Organist, Durham Cathedral and former Interim Organist and Director of Music, Worcester Cathedral) to give the annual Gala Organ Recital. 

Tickets, costing £15, with free admission for those under 18 or in full-time education, are available on the door or in advance from the Cathedral website.

Worcester Cathedral’s popular lunchtime recital series has also recommenced in January 2023, following a break to accommodate repair works to damage caused by Storm Arwen in November 2021. Recitals take place on Thursdays at 12.15pm, lasting until around 1pm, and the Spring line-up is as follows:

19 January        Benjamin Cunningham (organ)
26 January        Historical Performance Department of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
2 February        Jordan English (organ)
16 February      Ensembles from King’s School, Worcester
16 March          Musicians from Royal Grammar School, Worcester
23 March          Peter Dyke (organ)

Performers for the Summer and Autumn series will be announced soon. Admission to the lunchtime recitals is free, with donations welcomed at a retiring collection.

Worcester Cathedral’s Director of Music, Samuel Hudson, said: “It is wonderful to hear the sound of our magnificent Quire Organ filling the cathedral once again. We are extremely grateful to the teams who have been working on the repairs to the instrument and to the building itself following the damage sustained in storm Arwen and are delighted to be able to play and listen to the organ again.

“The instrument is not only central to the life of the Cathedral, accompanying services on a daily basis, but can also be heard in our series of concerts and recitals – we particularly look forward to James Lancelot’s gala recital on 21 January, celebrating the instrument’s 14th birthday!”