London’s Union Chapel is celebrating the restoration of its historic 19th Century organ with a series of gigs and concerts.
The Henry Willis Organ, which was built in 1877, will be celebrated with a week long run of events kicking off on 14 July.
Highlights include an opening night performance by Simon Johnson, St. Paul’s organist and assistant director of music, who recently played at the service to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
On the 17 July, the London premiere of Carl Dreyer’s masterpiece of silent film, The Passion Of Joan Of Arc, will take place with organist James McVinnie performing a new score alongside soprano and electronics.
Composer Paul Mealor, who also performs as part of a New Music Recital on 18 July, said: ‘It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of Union Chapel's launch of their newly restored Henry Willis Organ.
‘The brand new Organ Project will provide an innovative performance strand as well as an exciting new education outreach programme based around the organ and it’s fantastic to be involved in the launch of this.’
The Wooden One-octave Organ For Young Technologists with Jeremy Sampson will take place on 14 July to showcase how the organ works.
The organ is the only existing one of its kind in the UK and was by money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Proceeds will go towards Union Chapel’s Organ Education Outreach Fund. Full programme and tickets are available from the Union Chapel website.
The Henry Willis Organ, which was built in 1877, will be celebrated with a week long run of events kicking off on 14 July.
Highlights include an opening night performance by Simon Johnson, St. Paul’s organist and assistant director of music, who recently played at the service to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
On the 17 July, the London premiere of Carl Dreyer’s masterpiece of silent film, The Passion Of Joan Of Arc, will take place with organist James McVinnie performing a new score alongside soprano and electronics.
Composer Paul Mealor, who also performs as part of a New Music Recital on 18 July, said: ‘It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of Union Chapel's launch of their newly restored Henry Willis Organ.
‘The brand new Organ Project will provide an innovative performance strand as well as an exciting new education outreach programme based around the organ and it’s fantastic to be involved in the launch of this.’
The Wooden One-octave Organ For Young Technologists with Jeremy Sampson will take place on 14 July to showcase how the organ works.
The organ is the only existing one of its kind in the UK and was by money from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Proceeds will go towards Union Chapel’s Organ Education Outreach Fund. Full programme and tickets are available from the Union Chapel website.
