The north case of the new organ
It cost £1.5m, and took six years to complete but now Llandaff Cathedral has one of the finest organs in Europe and it’s celebrating with a free recital by one of Wales’ most distinguished musicians on St David’s Day.
Huw Tregelles Williams will perform music by J S Bach, Alexandre Guilmant, William Mathias and Karl Jenkins on the organ which boasts 4,870 pipes spread over four manuals and pedals.
The Cathedral launched an appeal for a new organ following a lightning strike in 2007 which finally ended the life of its 50-year-old instrument. Following consultations the Dean and Chapter instructed Nicholsons of Malvern to construct and install a new organ and a fund-raising committee was set up. A host of events took place to raise money for the appeal, including the revival of the annual Llandaff Festival of Music. Everyone was offered the opportunity to sponsor a pipe or another part of the instrument.
The organ is the largest commissioned for a British cathedral since one was built for Coventry Cathedral – bombed like Llandaff during WW2 – in 1962 and is one of the finest in Europe.
A spokesperson said, “This is a wonderful and historical event when we will be able to experience the unique and majestic sound of the organ of Llandaff Cathedral. We are very grateful to Huw Tregelles Williams and, of course, to all those who contributed to the appeal and worked tirelessly to ensure its success. This new organ is a remarkable instrument which will be an asset not just for the cathedral but for the wider music community of Cardiff and, indeed, the whole of the UK.”
The recital takes place on March 1 at 3pm. For a free ticket, please send or hand a stamp addressed envelope to Linda Quinn, The Cathedral Office, Llandaff Cathedral, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2LA.
