Grand Organ Festival 2026
The Grand Organ of Westminster Cathedral is considered by many to be the greatest achievement and crowning glory of Henry Willis III, one of England’s finest organ builders. Each year, some of the world’s most distinguished and talented organists are invited to give headline recitals as part of our Grand Organ Festival.
We are delighted to announce another thrilling line-up for the 2026 edition, featuring prize-winning organists James Orford (St Paul’s Cathedral) and Ulrich Walther (University of Graz), Peter Stevens (Westminster Cathedral), and Simon Johnson (Westminster Cathedral) performing works by J.S. Bach, Elgar, Mozart, Messiaen, Liszt, Vierne, Leighton, Reger and many more, including a world premiere of a new work by Michael Berkeley.
Concerts take place on Wednesdays 9th, 16th 23rd and 30th September at 7.30pm. Tickets (£15/£12 concessions) are available on the door.
For full details of each recital, please see below.
‘The sheer impact on the listener is unforgettable’
Stephen Bicknell
9 September 2026
James Orford, St Paul’s Cathedral
James is a prize-winning Organist of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, praised for his ‘dashing playing’. James will play:
| Prélude ‘Kyrie Eleison’ (I) from Symphonie Dominicale (Op. 39) – de Saint-Martin |
| Trio Sonata in C minor (BWV 526) – J.S. Bach Vivace | Largo | Allegro |
| Romanza (III) from Symphony No 5 – Vaughan Williams |
| Te Deum (BuxWV 218) – Buxtehude |
| Sonatina for Organ – Stephen Hough Allegretto tranquillo | Allegro giocoso |
| Prélude, Adagio, et Choral Varié sur le thême du ‘Veni Creator’ (Op. 4) – Duruflé |
16 September 2026
Peter Stevens, Westminster Cathedral
Peter has been Assistant Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral since 2011. Peter, who ‘at the helm of Westminster Cathedral’s mighty Willis organ delivers interpretations that resonate with both technical brilliance and spiritual depth’, will play:
| World premiere – Michael Berkeley |
| Toccata and Fugue in D minor ‘Dorian’ (BWV 538) – J.S. Bach |
| Prelude and Angel’s Farewell from The Dream of Gerontius – Elgar transcr. Brewer |
| Gaudeamus in loci pace – James MacMillan |
| Symphonie III (Op.28) – Vierne Allegro maestoso | Cantilène | Intermezzo | Adagio | Final |
23 September 2026
Ulrich Walther, University of Graz
Ulrich is an international concert artist and award-winning organist, who is currently Professor of Organ at the University of Graz. Ulrich will play:
| Fantasia in F minor (K 608) – Mozart |
| Trio super Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (BWV 676) – J.S. Bach |
| 2ème Ballade – Liszt transcr. Walther |
| Évocation III (2008) – Thierry Escaich |
| Introduction, Variations and Fugue in F sharp minor – Reger |
30 September 2026
Simon Johnson, Westminster Cathedral
Described by Gramophone magazine as ‘a brilliant and sensitive musician’, Simon Johnson has been Director of Music at Westminster Cathedral since 2021. Simon’s latest recording, B-A-C-H Anatomy of a Motif was described by The Organ magazine as ‘one of the most significant releases for the organ…for some time.’ Simon will play:
| Toccata ‘Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt’ – Karg-Elert |
| Fantasia and Fugue in G minor (BWV 542) – J.S. Bach |
| Le banquet céleste – Messiaen |
| Prelude, Scherzo and Passacaglia – Leighton |
| Fantasmagorie – Alain |
| Sonata in G – Elgar |
