In this edition of ‘Notes from an Organist’ we discover more about them, and what to expect from their recital, including telling stories through their music; how her European tour is going; and opening the Salzburg Festival four times!Could you introduce yourself, how you got into music / become an organist and your musical journey to where you are today?My name is Victoria, and I´m an 18 year old concert organist from Norway. At the moment, I study two bachelors in parallel at the Norwegian Academy of Music with Prof. Kåre Nordstoga and Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig with Prof. Martin Schmeding. I grew up in a house with music always around me, either my mother playing the piano or my father putting on cd´s. I started playing the piano when I was about 5, which I still do today with Prof. Liv Glaser. Suddenly, the organ came into my life when I was 11-12 years old, as I discovered this big, magical instrument with the orchestral sound. I worked some years before I made my debut recital in Oslo Cathedral when I was 15. From there, it just went on with recital requests, and I have since then played at places like Nidaros Cathedral, Fraumünster Zürich, and I am this year invited to play in Westminster Abbey. At the moment, I have over 50 solo recitals scheduled for 2025, including major festivals like the International Organ Summer Karlsruhe, and historically significant venues like Handel Hendrix House and the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig. Over 15 of these recitals are cathedrals in England. I love to travel and experience new places, instruments, and most importantly of all, meet lovely people. I could not have been more grateful that I get to work with this incredible profession!What can people expect from your recital at Bradford Cathedral?My biggest goal is to tell a story with the music. To make the audience visualize something from hearing me play. I hope to give them a memorable experience that makes them feel something. I hope that Grieg, Bunk and Reubke will help me with this. If I can give the audience an experience they will remember and make it worth their trip to my recital – my mission will be completed.Why do you enjoy playing the organ?I enjoy playing the organ especially since it’s such an universal instrument. It works for everything from playing hymns, accompanying big choirs, to playing solo repertoire. It can imitate playing fortissimo like the largest orchestra, or playing sensible like the softest violin.Do you have a particular favourite piece out of those you are playing?My favorite piece always depends, almost from my mood of the day. And especially since I enjoy them all in different ways! But my favorite at the moment must be Legende by Gerard Bunk. It has Cesar Franck´s harmonies floating under Felix Mendelssohn’s musical structure, and with a great touch of Reger´s contrasts upon it all. It’s very theatrical and almost like an opera. Different characters come out, and makes the story more mysterious and exciting for each bar.This season’s theme is ‘Music in Times of War’. How are you reflecting this in your programme?When I received this theme in my mail, I immediately thought of Reubke’s Sonata on the 94th Psalm. This might be a difficult piece to play in these times because of the text in this war psalm, reflecting today’s situation in the world. But I think it’s exactly what is necessary. Reubke wrote this as so much more than just a virtuoso piece. It’s a cry for help, peace and justice. “Lord, how long shall the ungodly triumph? They murder the widow, and the stranger: and put the fatherless to death. And yet they say the Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.» Injustice was a social problem in Germany in the 1850s. There was also a social idea of music; that music could make society better. My wish is that it at least can make a little difference. Music filled with strong emotions, sorrow and longing – but also a small glimpse of warmth, hope and change.What are your hopes or plans musically for 2025?Besides the exciting venues I have planned, I especially look forward to conveying my joy of playing the organ to more people. When you enjoy doing something, it reflects around you right away. That is why I only play music that I have a personal connection to. This way, I will always have a story in my mind that I want to tell the audience.You are at the start of an impressive European Tour. How has it been going so far, and where are you looking forward to playing?It has been going amazing so far, and I think that the New Years Recital I played in Hasselt was one of my very best serotonin boosts I´ve ever had at a concert! I am especially looking forward to being back in Switzerland, as well as playing at the International Organ Summer in Karlsruhe! It is incredible to me to think I will play at festivals where Olivier Latry and others in his division have played. I am also very excited to play harpsichord at the Handel Hendrix House, and also fortepiano at the Norwegian Organ Festival. I feel very lucky that I get to include in my career all the historical instruments I love to play! I am very excited to play at Norwich, Chester and Southwark… but most of all, I can’t wait to play at Westminster Abbey! I hear the atmosphere there is amazing at organ recitals, and I am looking forward to getting the whole experience of being in London. I´ve heard the organ is incredible too!You recorded at the Fraumünster in Zürich. What was that experience like?The experience was so amazing, because of the audience and the whole friendly atmosphere. I had been prepared for a couple of days by the most helpful and generous arrangers, doing all from small video recordings as promotion, assisting me at rehearsals and making my time there great. And the day of the recital came, and I just looked forward to putting on the camera! The Reubke is actually a live recording from the recital, which in my opinion couldn’t have gone better that day!You have opened the Salzburg Festival 4 times – what do you enjoy about that Festival?In Salzburg, one of the big advantages is the quality of the instruments. The opening recital of the festival always takes place in the Franziskanerkirche, which stores two great Metzler organs, one baroque and one symphonic – which I’ve been fortunate to play both. It’s always such a joy spending time on those instruments!Next year you are playing at the “OrgelGlanzLichter” in Iserlohn. Are you looking forward to that?Yes, that will be such a pleasure! It is incredible to me to think people like Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois and Jonathan Scott have played here. And soon it will be my turn!Finally, how would you sum up your upcoming recital at Bradford Cathedral?I hope the pieces I have chosen will affect the audience in some way. I hope they will discover some Scandinavian music, like the Prelude from the Holberg Suite by Edvard Grieg, which is some of the most beautiful music I know from Norway. I also hope they will enjoy some less-known music like the Legende by Gerard Bunk, and also enjoy the emotional ride through the Reubke Sonata.You can join us on Wednesday 2nd April at 1pm to hear Victoria’s organ recital, with an optional £4 buffet lunch beforehand at 12:30pm. You can find out more about her on her website, Facebook page, or on Instagram.You can discover more about our organ recital season on our dedicated page.
The Cathedrals Cycle Relay (CCR) – which began in 2021 – will see cyclists collectively visit forty-two cathedrals over forty-two days, each travelling some of the 2000-mile course. Cyclists of all abilities are invited to take part in a single leg – or multiple legs – during the six-week relay, which will start at the Cathedral to mark Bradford being the UK City of Culture 2025. Legs of the Cathedrals Cycle Route can be cycled at any time, but each year cyclists are invited to take part in the national relay, where the baton will be passed from Cathedral to Cathedral, returning to Bradford on the afternoon of Saturday 5th July 2025. The baton is currently on display at Bradford Cathedral, available to see during their usual opening hours. The relay will begin with a special launch event, at 10:30am on Saturday 24th May 2025, which will see a series of short speeches from the Dean and Bishop of Bradford; Dr Shaun Cutler – creator of the route – and his daughter Hannah – creator of the baton; Dan Bates from the Bradford 2025 team; and a surprise celebrity guest! There will also be musical performances from Kenneth Wilson, the Pilgrim Celloist, who will be cycling the route and performing at various Cathedrals along the way. As well as performing as part of the launch, he will also be playing a pay-as-you-feel performance the day before - Friday 23rd May 2025 - at Bradford Cathedral at 3pm. Cyclists will depart Bradford Cathedral at around 11:30am, cycling to Wakefield Cathedral via Dewsbury Minster. Budding cyclists, including members of local cycle groups, are invited to sign up on Eventbrite to do some or all of this route, and are welcome to also cycle other legs as well. It is free to take part, but those donating at least £10 will receive a special CCR medal to acknowledge their achievement. Dr Shaun Cutler says:“The Cathedrals Cycle Route welcomes everyone! Born out of the challenges of COVID, the CCR was created to foster connection and promote a sense of togetherness, embracing all backgrounds and beliefs. “Now five years since the outbreak, the importance of unity is stronger than ever. We’re excited for our 2025 relay to play a role in Bradford’s City of Culture and in bringing us together, celebrating the beauty of England’s 42 cathedrals and the vibrant communities that surround them. Join us in this inspiring journey!” Anne Locke, Association of English Cathedrals, says:“I remember very well the joy of taking part myself in the first cycle relay in 2021, and I am delighted that our cathedrals will be welcoming the baton again this year. The Cathedrals Cycle Route has created a wonderful opportunity to explore these marvellous buildings and communities in an enjoyable and sustainable way.” ENDS The Cathedrals Cycle Relay (CCR) begins on Saturday 24th May. Cyclists are invited to sign-up at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-cathedrals-cycle-relay-2025-join-us-for-12-or-even-all-42-stages-tickets-970438225857 All are welcome to attend the launch event, held on that Saturday at 10:30am, with people gathering from 10am. You can RSVP for this at https://bradfordcathedral.churchsuite.com/events/oglgbmnx
In this edition of ‘Notes from an Organist’ we discover more about them, and what to expect from their recital, including playing the violin since being only three years old; working with the Chineke! Orchestra; and winning a composition competition.Could you introduce yourself, how you got into music / become an organist and your musical journey to where you are today?Hi, I’m Will and I’m currently the Sub-Organist and Assistant Director of Music here at Bradford Cathedral. I initially started playing the violin as a three year old and subsequently took up the piano and trumpet. My first experience of the organ was through my hometown church (St. Mary’s Catholic Church, West Croydon) when I was 10; the church was in need of an organist for a Good Friday service and I was asked to play for this. I have been transfixed ever since and started organ lessons as a music scholar at Wellington College, Berkshire aged 14. Since then I have held posts at Guildford, Canterbury and Leeds Cathedrals as well as Leeds Minster before starting here in Bradford in January 2025.What can people expect from your recital at Bradford Cathedral?I’ve tried to pick music in a range of different styles, with some things the audience may or may not have heard before (including a piece of my own)! I hope there is something in this programme for everyone!Why do you enjoy playing the organ?I love the organ because it is so versatile; it has such a wide palette of sounds and it’s always so fun finding new combinations on each organ us organists have the privilege of playing. I also enjoy playing in a range of different contexts; a lot of my work at the cathedral centres around accompanying the choir but I also really enjoy playing solo repertoire and in orchestral music too!Do you have a particular favourite piece out of those you are playing?A tough one… If I had to pick, it would probably be the Stanford – I learnt the whole of his Second Organ Sonata for the Centenary of his death last year. John Hosking played the first movement beautifully a few weeks ago and I’m excited to close my recital with the final movement!This season’s theme is ‘Music in Times of War’. How are you reflecting this in your programme?My main links with this season’s theme are seen in the Walton, Barber and Stanford.Outside of the Coronation Marches some very exciting choral music (including my favourite anthem ever The Twelve), Walton wrote music for a lot of films during the Second World War. The Prologue from A Wartime Sketchbook is the Title music for one of these films called ‘Went the day well?’ from 1942. Barber’s Adagio for Strings is believed to be one of the very few pieces of American music to be played in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Stanford composed his Five Organ Sonatas during the First World War and the Second Sonata (subtitled Eroica) paid homage to the struggle of the French Army during the Battle of Verdun, and the last movement in particular speaks of the destruction of the medieval Rheims Cathedral.What are your hopes or plans musically for 2025?Mainly we have some very exciting things happening with the Cathedral Choir in 2025; namely a concert recorded on BBC Radio 2 with the Black Dyke Band (in April), Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral for the Clergy Support trust, recording for Songs of Praise and our choir tour (all in May), and topping off this year with a live broadcast on BBC One for Christmas Day. Outside of this I have some more recitals, some work with the Chineke! Orchestra and continuing my work as accompanist of Wetherby Choral Society. If I get any time outside of that I’ll see if I can start playing some of my other instruments more frequently!You recently started as our new Assistant Director of Music. How has your time at the Cathedral been so far, and what have been your highlights?I’ve had a wonderful time working here so far; the first half term was particularly busy, which included some exciting things including the Legal Service and the second session of the Cathedral Choir’s recording in collaboration with the Black Dyke Band. It’s such a friendly environment and I’ve found it really easy to slot into the team!You previously worked at Leeds Cathedral – what was that like?Playing for services at Leeds Cathedral was great fun; it was very different to what I’m doing now as of course it is a Catholic Cathedral, but this opened my eyes to so much new repertoire and particularly how important the plainsong tradition is within the Catholic Church. I also worked as a Keyboard Tutor for Organ and Piano on the Diocese of Leeds Music Keyboard Studies programme which involved working with and teaching a huge number of students each week.You’re also a keen violinist and trumpeter. What attracted you to those instruments?I grew up in a family with five older sisters (yes imagine being the youngest and the only boy of 6 children…), and each of them learnt an instrument. Of these instruments violin and trumpet were among them hence me starting both of these instruments eventually. I was in both the National Childrens and National Youth Orchestras of Great Britain as a violinist growing up which led to my first performance at the BBC Proms in Summer 2017 and when I get the chance to I still play my violin with the Chineke! Orchestra (although nowadays I usually play orchestral keyboard parts with them!). A combination of my trumpet knowledge and my complete boredom during the first lockdown led to me buying a trombone and strangely I play that more than my trumpet now!Last year you wrote the joint winning entry of the Advent composition competition. What was that like to be involved in?It was quite the experience having a piece of your own performed in a building like Blackburn Cathedral. I wrote a chorale prelude based on the Advent chorale ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme,’ and the piece was performed as part of their Advent Procession on Advent Sunday in 2024. I think the piece really suited the vast acoustics of the space (it’s a very slow moving piece) and it contributed to a very special occasion for me. Funnily enough, I entered one of their previous competitions but my comprehension skills clearly failed me in reading the brief…Finally, how would you sum up your upcoming recital at Bradford Cathedral?I hope there’s something for everyone in this recital whether the music is known or new to the audience; I’ve picked a programme of music I really enjoy playing and I hope I can show that in the performance of these great works!You can join us on Wednesday 26th March at 1pm to hear William’s organ recital, with an optional £4 buffet lunch beforehand at 12:30pm. You can find out more about him on his Instagram page.You can discover more about our organ recital season on our dedicated page.Submit a Comment
