Gloucester

Adrian Partington and Jonathan Hope introduce Gloucester Cathedral’s new organ

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Gloucester Cathedral gets its voice back

Adrian Partington (l) and Jonathan Hope (r) at the console of the new Nicholson organ in Gloucester Cathedral

In 2025 I reviewed for MusicWeb International a recording of organ music by Jehan Alain and Maurice Duruflé which the British organist, Matthew Martin had recorded on the organ of Buckfast Abbey. I read in the booklet a phrase that resonated with me: Martin referred to the organ as ‘the voice of the building’. Shortly afterwards, by coincidence, I heard the Very Rev. Andrew Zihni, the Dean of Gloucester, voice similar sentiments when he spoke at the carol concert in the cathedral on Boxing Day 2025 when he said of the organ: ‘When it sings, the Cathedral breathes’.

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John Quinn talks to Three Choirs Festival CEO David Francis

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A strong tradition and a bright future. David Francis, CEO of the Three Choirs Festival in conversation with John Quinn

David Francis © Joseph Wong/TCF

The Three Choirs Festival is almost certainly the oldest music festival in the world: it can trace its origins back to around 1715. The Festival began as an annual gathering, lasting just a couple of days, of the Musical Societies of the cathedral cities of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester; the respective cathedral choirs were part of these societies and sang services, accompanied by an orchestra, during the gatherings. From the outset, each of the three cities took it in turn to host the annual get-togethers. The gatherings gradually widened in scope and duration. Nowadays, the Festival runs for a week and includes a wide variety of concerts, recitals, talks and social events.

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Saint Cecilia Singers premiere an important and moving new work by Neil Cox in Gloucester

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Byrd, Cox, Williams, Allegri, Bernstein: Tom Lilburn (countertenor), Piers Maxim (organ), Laura Morris (French horn), Cecily Beer (harp), Jack Redman (keyboard), Diggory Seacome, Anna Newman (percussion), Ivan Barritt (sound engineer); Saint Cecilia Singers / Jonathan Hope (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral 22.3.2024. (JQ)

Saint Cecilia Singers

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Elgar’s The Apostles is a richly rewarding end to the 2023 Three Choirs Festival

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival 2023 [11] – Elgar: Philippa Boyle (soprano – Virgin Mary), Martha McLorinan (mezzo-soprano – Mary Magdalene), Michael Bell (tenor – St John), John Savournin (bass-baritone – Judas), James Geidt (baritone – St Peter), Dingle Yandell (bass-baritone – Jesus), Three Choirs Festival Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra / Adrian Partington (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral 29.7.2023. (JQ)

Elgar’s The Apostles closes the 2023 Three Choirs Festival

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A misguided repertoire choice for the debut of the Three Choirs Festival Voices

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Three Choirs Festival [10] – Vaughan Williams, Fitkin: James Hall (countertenor), Dominic Sedgwick (baritone), Samuel West (narrator), Worcester Cathedral Choristers, Three Choirs Festival Voices, Philharmonia Orchestra / Samuel Hudson (conductor). Gloucester Cathedral, 28.7.2023. (JQ)

Conductor Samuel Hudson with Samuel West (left) and James Hall (right) © Dale Hodgetts

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