Selby Abbey’s Viscount organ is to be played for the first time by world-renowned organists whilst the original Edwardian organ is restored.
On Sept 1st our leading organist will be John Scott Whiteley – Organist Emeritus York Minster
An organ “first” happens rarely but at Selby Abbey in north Yorkshire a spectacular new organ is being played in concert for the first time during July and August. Some of the world’s most celebrated organists will be welcomed to the Abbey for the series of weekly free lunchtime concerts. The instrument, designed by Viscount Organs, is pipeless and is in service whilst the Abbey’s Edwardian 4 manual Hill organ, widely regarded as a masterpiece, is restored by Geoffrey Coffin of Principal Pipe Organs in York.
The Selby Abbey Organ Appeal was launched in June 2012 to raise £520,000 to restore the world-famous Hill organ, built specifically for the Abbey in 1909. Without restoration, there was a risk that it would have become unplayable within five years. The Appeal has been so successful, with £460,000 already raised, that the restoration work has begun.
The Appeal continues and the work is scheduled for completion in just over a year’s time. The summer concerts are FREE and offer an unrivalled opportunity for concert goers to easily observe and listen to every facet of the performance because the stand-in Viscount organ is located in the centre of the nave.
All the organists are giving their time freely.
Two DVDs for sale in aid of the Appeal – a DVD film of D’Arcy Trinkwon and one of John Scott Whiteley each playing the Viscount organ will be on sale at all concerts.