Local organist to open Sunday recital series

After two years as Acting Organist and Master of the Choristers, Dr Timpany has just taken up the post of Director of Music at the Cathedral.

He will play works by J S Bach, César Franck, Percy Whitlock and Gordon Phillips.

Stephen explained his choice of programme: “I will play one piece from each of my favourite composers: Bach, Franck and Whitlock.

“I will begin with J S Bach’s ‘Pièce d’Orgue’, a very rhythmical and exciting piece, typical of the Baroque period.

“This will be followed by Choral No 1 by Franck, a brooding Romantic piece, based on a choral and one of the three chorals written shortly before Franck’s death in 1897.

“I will continue with Whitlock’s ‘Exultemus’, which is a lively and exuberant setting of the first three verses of Psalm 81,” he continued.

“By way of contrast there will be one or two shorter pieces and the recital will end with ‘Variations on a Nursery Song’ by Phillips.” 

The Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Gregory Dunstan, said: “Dr Timpany has already played a key part in the Cathedral’s musical life, including the arrangements for previous organ recital series.

“We hope that this opening recital will mark the beginning of a permanent and fruitful relationship with the Cathedral,” he added.

As with all the recitals in this series, admission is free, with a retiring collection towards the further endowment of the Cathedral choir through the Archbishop’s Choir Fund.

To date, donations in this series have raised over £2,600.