Classical Preview: Lindley leads the flock of returning organists

LIKE migrating birds, organists return to their organ lofts in the spring to take us through the summer months with an offering of beautiful sounds from venerable instruments.
By David Denton
Published 2nd Sep 2011, 12:08 BST

None have been quite so productive as the Leeds City organist, Simon Lindley, who has given 30 concerts in the space of two months. Tomorrow he has a lunchtime recital at St Augustine’s in Grimsby, followed by a drive to Leathley, near Otley, for an evening concert at the parish church.

Next Monday he returns to the console of the Town Hall, while the following Saturday he is the soloist with the Sinfonia of Leeds in a performance of Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in a Leeds Methodist Choir Concert (September 17).

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York is also in the midst of its Summer Organ Festival shared between the enormous instrument in the Minster and the profusion of small historic churches to be found in the centre of the city.

Tomorrow evening sees a visit from Worcester Cathedral’s outstanding keyboard virtuoso, Andrew Lumsden, with the distinguished director of music from Lincoln Cathedral, Colin Walsh, also in the Minster for the following Saturday.

We move to St Helen’s Church where the Minster’s assistant director of music, David Pipe, gives the Wednesday lunchtime recital (September 7), while the Central Methodist Church plays host to Old Malton Priory organist, Raymond Sturdy, the following Thursday (September 16).

Tickets for York Organ Festival through to September 29 from 0844 939011.

Related topics:YorkMinster