In this edition of 'Notes from an Organist' we discover more about them, and what to expect from their recital including playing a FAB-ulous piece of music; conducting at a birthday concert for composer Philip Wilby; and working with the Black Dyke Band.

What can people expect from your recital at Bradford Cathedral?
I am keeping with this term’s theme of secular and concert repertoire with a programme of music which, certainly for the most part, would be very unlikely to appear at one of our Cathedral services. There is a jazzy piece written for the coronation by Iain Farrington, alongside a virtuosic concert fantasia by W T Best and a dramatic depiction of flight by Cecilia McDowall.

Why do you enjoy playing the organ?

The organ is really unlike any other instrument, and the variety it offers is unparalleled.

Do you have a particular favourite piece out of those you are playing?
I have enjoyed learning some new music for this programme, and have especially enjoyed getting to grips with Cecilia’s piece. Though I think my favourite piece in the programme has to be the final number…

This season’s theme is ‘The Town Hall Organ (Secular and Concert Repertoire)’. How are you reflecting this in your programme?
The Concert Fantasia on a Welsh Tune was written by W T Best who was a famous civic organist in Liverpool, as well as giving the opening recital on the Sydney Town Hall organ. The piece is very much in this style with lots of grandiose, bombastic writing as well as a huge variety of the more peculiar sounds of the organ.

What are your personal hopes or plans musically for the rest of 2024 and into 2025?

I am hugely looking forward to a number of exciting concerts throughout the rest of the year. I’ll be conducting a concert with Halifax Choral Society in a few weeks celebrating the 75th birthday of Yorkshire composer, Philip Wilby, as well as this year conducting two performances of the Messiah, playing in another and singing in a fourth. We also have exciting projects with the Black Dyke Band here at the Cathedral as well as the usual tranche of carol services and concerts. A full list can be found here!

As 2024 nears its end, how has the year been for you musically at Bradford Cathedral?
It has been another exciting and varied year of music at the Cathedral, including the choir tour earlier in the year, and introducing our choristers to lots of lovely new music.

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of the year?
Usually, I would say around 12noon on 25th December when it’s all finished for another year… (!) but there are lots of exciting concerts and projects I’m looking forward to getting stuck into.

You also have many upcoming music events across Yorkshire coming up – are there any particular highlights for you?
Carols and Brass with the Black Dyke Band is always a favourite, alongside getting excited by the prospect of the St Matthew Passion which I’ll be directing just before Holy Week.

Finally, how would you sum up your upcoming recital at Bradford Cathedral?
F.A.B….

You can join us on Wednesday 9th October at 1pm to hear Anthony's organ recital, with an optional £4 buffet lunch beforehand at 12:30pm. You can find out more about him on his website or X account, or on Instagram.

You can discover more about our organ recital season on our dedicated page.