Westminster Cathedral

Grand Organ Festival 2025 - Simon Johnson
2025-10-01 19:30 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | Westminster Cathedral, Ashley Place, London, SW1P 1LT, United Kingdom
‘The sheer impact on the listener is unforgettable’ – Stephen Bicknell
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.
1 October 2025, 7.30pm
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:

Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV 678 – J.S. Bach
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr’ BWV 663 – J.S. Bach
L’Ascension – Messiaen
Rhapsody No. 3 in C sharp minor – Howells
Scherzo and Allegro risoluto from Symphonie II – Vierne

Tickets are £15 (£12 concessions) and are available on the door.

Grand Organ Festival 2025 - Peter King
2025-10-08 19:30 - 20:30 | Westminster Cathedral, Ashley Place, London, SW1P 1LT, United Kingdom
‘The sheer impact on the listener is unforgettable’ – Stephen Bicknell
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.
8 October 2025, 7.30pm
Peter King, Organist Emeritus, Bath Abbey
Peter King was Director of Music at Bath Abbey from 1986-2016, and is in demand as a recitalist around the world. Described as ‘a virtuoso of world class’ who plays ‘with such élan, and with such passion, such commitment.’ Peter plays a recital in memory of former Assistant Master of Music Nicolas Kynaston (1941-2025):

Toccata ‘Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt’ – Karg-Elert
Choral No.3 in A minor – Franck
Excelsior! & Ave Maria ‘The Bells of Rome’ – Liszt
Funerailles (from Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses) – Liszt transcr. Kynaston
Entrée de Poymnie (from Les Boréades) – Rameau transcr. King
Danse Macabre – Saint-Saëns transcr. Lemare
Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue – J.S. Bach transcr. Reger

Tickets are £15 (£12 concessions) and are available on the door.

Friends' Quiz Night
2025-10-28 18:30 - 21:00 | Cathedral Hall, Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, London, SW1P 1QW, United Kingdom
Quizmaster: Fr Patrick van der Vorst.
Tickets, £20, are available here, and include a fish supper.
Alternatively, email Andrew at friends@rcdow.org.uk.
