Ely Cathedral´s Organ Centenary Celebration 1908-2008

This year the organ at Ely Cathedral celebrates its 100th year and in order to mark the centenary of the organ we have put together a stunning selection of concerts and events through out 2008 which demonstrate the versatility and richness of this magnificent instrument.

The current organ was installed in 1908 by Harrison and Harrison and was a virtually new organ, whilst incorporating some of the old pipe work. The organ has since undergone two restorations; firstly in 1974-75 which included some tonal changes, a new Positive division in the lower part of the Scott case, development of the Pedal Organ and modernization of the action and console. The second restoration took place between 1991-2001 was more extensive as the proposal involved increasing the versatility of the instrument, whilst enhancing its musical integrity. This restoration work to the organ cost in the region of £400,000 and was funded by the Order of St Etheldreda.

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´The Ely Organ - A Centenary Celebration´ CD

A new double CD entitled ´The Ely Organ - A Centenary Celebration´ is to be released the first week of April.
CD1, a recording made in 1999 (Pre-Restoration) features Paul Trepte and Sean Farrell.
CD2 recorded in 2002 (Post-Restoration) features Scott Farrell.

"A cathedral organ is probably the most expensive piece of hardware in any cathedral. Simply to maintain it in good condition is challenge enough for any Dean and Chapter in this day and age".

"To have the opportunity to restore it any shape or form is a tremendous responsibility, and inevitably any rebuild will reflect the tastes of the time. The "old" organ in Ely cathedral, masterminded by my predecessor, Arthur Wills, did its job magnificently for a good many years, but the changes (which mainly affected the reeds especially on the great and solo departments) proved necessary not just for aesthetic reasons, but also because any attempt to retain them was deemed in any case to be impractical. It was therefore felt important to record the instrument one last time before the rebuild, and those recordings comprise disc 1. There will be those who favour those sounds in preference to the new ones (and, of course, vice versa)! Those of us who play the "new" organ regularly (as represented by disc 2) find it a thrilling experience, and I seize the opportunity to thank Patrick Russill and Nicholas Thistlethwaite, our advisors, for their time and expertise."
Paul Trepte - Director of Music

´The Ely Organ - A Centenary Celebration´ will be on sale at all of the following events.
Also available from our online shop.

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Celebrity ´Organ Extravaganza´ Carlo Curley

Friday 22 February
7.30pm

CARLO CURLEY is one of the world´s foremost concert organists. As a student he studied with two of the great organists: America´s legendary Virgil Fox and Great Britain´s Sir George Thalben-Ball. Early in his career he was invited by the President to play at the White House and made history as the first classical organist to give a solo organ recital there.

Today, he tours the world, playing all over the USA as well as Europe, Asia, & Australia. His recent tour of Japan with the King´s Singers was warmly received and a sell-out everywhere. We are delighted that Carlo, despite his busy schedule, has agreed to perform as part of the Centenary Celebrations of the organ at Ely. His varied programmes and larger-thanlife personality guarantee an enjoyable evening that defi nitely isn't just for organ aficionados. A video screen projection enables the audience to watch Carlo in action. This is a one off spectacular event not to be missed so book early.

Programme

All tickets £10.00 available from Ely Cathedral Box Office, 01353 660349 or ONLINE

'Mixing their Music'

Saturday 14 June
7.30pm

The choirs of Ely Cathedral, Trinity College and Clare College Cambridge come together for a one off, unmissable performance. This will be the first time these 3 world renown choirs will perform together in the magnificent setting of Ely Cathedral. They will be accompanied by Prime Brass ensemble and the one hundred year old organ, for a delightful summers evening entertainment. The conductors of this concert will be Paul Trepte, Sarah MacDonald, Timothy Brown and Stephen Layton.

A delightful summers evening entertainment with a Champagne bar.

Tickets between £30.00 and £5 available from Ely Cathedral Box Office, 01353 660349 or ONLINE

David Briggs ´Phantom of the Opera´

Monday 30 June
8.30pm

Here is a unique opportunity to see THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA as you´ve never experienced it before - with live accompaniment on the great organ of Ely Cathedral. It´s hard to think of a better location to see this most gothic of all silent films, and with a more spine-tingling accompaniment as renown organists DAVID BRIGGS´ skill in organ improvisation commands universal admiration.

Formerly organ scholar of King´s College, Cambridge and Organist of Gloucester Cathedral, Briggs holds a reputation as one of the most fluent and expert improvisers in the world.

The star of Phantom of the Opera is Lon Chaney´s genius for mime and, his ability to bring humanity to the most deformed of creatures, make for a thrilling experience with chase sequences in the dungeons beneath the Paris Opera House. Robert Bloch, author of Psycho, once confessed that he owed his entire career to the inspirational unmasking scene.

This is a unique event as Ely Cathedral transforms itself into the world of silent film and, accompanied by the 100 year old organ, provides an exhilarating evenings entertainment.

All tickets £10.00 available from Ely Cathedral Box Office, 01353 660349 or ONLINE

Summer Celebrity Organ Recital

Sunday 6 July
7.30pm

We are delighted to incorporate into our Centenary Celebrations a concert by the celebrity organist SIMON PRESTON presented in association with Oundle for Organists.
This concert will show the power and versatility of the majestic organ at Ely Cathedral in its entirety.

All tickets £10.00 available from Ely Cathedral Box Office, 01353 660349 or ONLINE

Summer Organ Recital Series

Every Sunday from 13 July to 31 August
5.15pm

A variety of well known local organists are set to entertain you on late on a summer afternoon with a short, entertaining recital. Further details here.

Prime Brass with Organ

7 September
7.30pm

To help celebrate the centenary of the Cathedral organ, Cambridge-based brass ensemble Prime Brass will join forces with organist Jonathan Lilley to present a spectacular programme of music for brass and organ. On this occasion Prime Brass will be doubling its size to 20 players, with no fewer than 8 horns, 7 trumpets, 4 trombones and a tuba, plus a further 5 percussionists, all conducted by Cathedral Director of Music Paul Trepte.

At the heart of the concert is the symphonic suite 'The Fenlands' by the former Ely Cathedral Organist Dr Arthur Wills. This major work has movements with the evocative titles 'The Vikings', 'Wicken Fen', 'Oliver Cromwell' and 'City of Ely', and is firmly rooted in the local landscape. It was first performed, in Ely Cathedral, in 1981 by the Cambridge Co-operative Brass Band and has been re-scored especially for the orchestral forces of Prime Brass for this concert, providing a fitting centre-piece to this concert celebrating Ely's great Cathedral organ.

All tickets £10.00 available from Ely Cathedral Box Office, 01353 660349 or ONLINE