Chester Cathedral Organ at Full Blast

Chester Philharmonic’s new season at Chester Cathedral starts on Saturday 12th November 2022 at 7:30 pm with Saint Saëns’ Organ Symphony, Oetomo’s Marimba Concerto with soloist Calum Huggan, Barber’s First Essay for Orchestra and his famous Adagio for Strings.

This is a rare opportunity to bring a Marimba into an orchestral setting in an atmospheric yet jazzy work. The marimba is a member of the percussion family and consists of wooden bars struck with mallets. The two works by the American composer Samuel Barber. Essay for Orchestra No. 1, portrays a simplicity and elegance characteristic of the composer. The Adagio for Strings, is probably Barber’s best known work, played on solemn occasions. The Organ Symphony contains melodies that were used in certain film featuring a piglet and will be familiar to many. Philip Rushworth, the Cathedral’s Director of Music, will be at the organ.

The concert will be conducted by Stephen Threlfall. Stephen directed the orchestra and local choirs in the Cathedral to a full house for a moving performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony on 1st October in aid of the DEC appeal for Ukraine which raised £5,600. Stephen said he is pleased direct the Orchestra again particularly for a rare performance of the Oetomo Marimba Concerto with a leading soloist.