Battle of the Organs at Selby Abbey Friday 1st September at 7.00pm

Just 113 years separates the two organs which will go head to head in Selby Abbey on Friday 1st September at ‘The Battle of the Organs’.

The world famous Hill Organ with its 3980 pipes was installed in the Abbey following the great fire of 1906 and will be playing side by side in the Abbey with the state-of-the-art 2023Viscount Digital Organ, loaned for the occasion by Viscount Classical Organs, sponsors of the evening and generous supporters of the musician community.

Organists at the consoles will be John Scott Whiteley and Martin Baker. 

John Scott Whiteley is Organist Emeritus of York Minster andplayed there for 35 years before pursuing his own freelance career as international recitalist, regular performer of the organ music of J.S.Bach on BBC2 and BBC4 and as a recording artist with twenty six solo CD recordings to his credit and a further 22 as accompanist. He has researched and published books about the music of J.S.Bach and Joseph Longen and much of his time is now taken up composing music for the organ with some of his worksbeing broadcast on BBC3.

‘Doing battle’ with John Scott Whiteley is Martin Baker who has held positions at London’s Westminster and St. Paul’s Cathedralsand at Westminster Abbey. He was Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral for 20 years and was responsible for directing their world-renowned choir. He plays solo concerts around the world and has been part of the jury at international organ competitions.

The evening repertoire will include solo organ works and works with both organs playing together. Notable highlight among the works of composers spanning five centuries will be Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ in an arrangement by Alexander Darr for two organs.

Both recitalists are passionate about organ music and have gone head to head in previous years in Selby Abbey, clearly relishing the opportunity to play together in the magnificent Norman setting that is Selby Abbey – and watch out on the night for some elements of  mischievous rivalry, innovation and fun tucked away in their performances.

Tickets for the event are £20 to include interval refreshmentsand are available on line at selbyabbeytrust.org  or from the Abbey Gift Shop or on the door on the night.

The Abbey welcomes visitors daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm 

For more information about events and services at Selby Abbey visit our website  www.selbyabbey.org.uk or telephone 01757 703123