Stanmore Choral Society
The Stanmore Choral Society will be coming to the church on Saturday 5th April at 7pm to perform a programme that will include Chandos Anthems by George Frideric Handel and Johannes Pepusch. Tickets will cost £20 and are available either direct from the Choir or on-line from: wegottickets.com/event/647602. You can find more information on the choir’s website at https://stanmore-choral.org.uk/future-programme-2/. 

Forthcoming organ recitals arranged by the Friends of St Lawrence

We are delighted that the Friends of St Lawrence are planning to host two organ recitals later this year.

The first will be an organ recital by Anthony Halliday on Sunday 6th July at 3 pm entitled A Tribute to the Musicians’ Company. Tickets for the recital cost £20 and are available on-line at wegottickets.com/event/649646 and it will also be possible to pay at the door (cash only). The price includes a reception and refreshments in the church hall after the recital.

Anthony is domiciled in Australia where he is the Principal Organist at St Francis Church in Melbourne. His recital at St Lawrence’s will be part of his summer tour of Europe and the UK. When he was studying in London in the 1970s at the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Organists he was awarded all seven first prizes at the Royal College of Organists Fellowship examinations and the silver medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. It was this association with the Musicians’ Company that has prompted him to devise a recital that will include three works by former Masters of the Company. Anthony Halliday is also a Beethoven scholar and the subject of his doctoral thesis was the interpretation of Beethoven’s piano sonatas Op.106, 110 and 111 in a Christological context. His recital in July will include his transcription for organ of Beethoven’s Consecration of the House, Op. 124. Anthony’s skills as a virtuoso and composer will make this a special occasion. 

And make a note in your diaries because in the Autumn we shall be welcoming back Andrew Benson-Wilson to give a recital on Sunday 19th October at 3pm. The church organ was reconstructed by the firm of Goetze & Gwynn and Andrew was the first organist to give a recital on the new organ in May 1995, hence the title of October's recital: 30th Anniversary of the Goetze & Gwynn Organ at Whitchurch. It is fitting that Andrew should be the organist to mark this occasion. Ticketing information will be available early Summer.