Organ Recital - Huw Williams

To be given by Huw Williams
Felix Mendelssohn Prelude and Fugue in C minor, Op. 37 No. 1
Johann Sebastian Bach Trio Sonata No. 6 in G major BWV 530
Vivace
Lento
Allegro
Johann Sebastian Bach Vater unser im Himmelreich BWV 682
Felix Mendelssohn Sonata No. 6 in D minor, Op. 65
Chorale. Andante sostenuto - Allegro molto
Fuga. Sostenuto e legato
Finale. Andante
Huw Williams is Director of Music at Bath Abbey, where he directs its renowned choirs of boys, girls and lay clerks. A conductor and award-winning organist of international standing, Huw previously served as Director of Music at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’ Palace, where his predecessors included Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Henry Purcell. Whilst at the Chapel Royal he conducted the music for Prince George’s Christening, the Queen’s Christmas message in 2015, the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph, and numerous other events in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family. He was principal organist at St Paul’s Cathedral for ten years and made two solo organ recordings, one of which, “Organ Spectacular” received the Gramophone Editor’s Choice award.
Alongside his conducting work, Huw enjoys an international career as an organ recitalist and accompanist. He was invited to give the opening concert on the new Mander Organ presented to The Queen by the City of London, and played the first concert on the restored Henry Willis organ at the Hooglandsekerk in Leiden.
A fluent Welsh speaker, born in Swansea, Huw was the subject of a documentary on S4C. Some of his compositions have been published and many have been performed at St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Bath Abbey and further afield. He is one of the editors of the recently published Revised English Hymnal. His musical achievements have led Huw to be awarded the Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and more recently the Associate of the Royal Schools of Church Music. In 2024-2025 he is playing the complete organ works of J S Bach on the magnificent Klais organ at Bath Abbey.
The Dobson Organ in Merton College Chapel is one of the finest mechanical action organs in the UK.
Built by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Iowa, USA, and installed in 2013, in readiness for the College’s 750th celebrations in 2014, the organ consists of 44 ranks over three manuals. The specification encourages the performance of a wide repertoire, and the organ sounds equally thrilling in music from the baroque era as it does in the great romantic masterworks.
Lunchtime recitals are held every Thursday during Michaelmas and Trinity terms, and are free to attend.
Many of the world's finest organists have given concerts on the Dobson Organ including John Scott (who opened the instrument), Olivier Latry, James O'Donnell, Paul Jacobs, Thomas Trotter, Martin Baker, Stephen Farr, Margaret Phillips, Thomas Ospital, Simon Johnson, Robert Quinney, Sarah Baldock and Katherine Dienes-Williams.