Battle of the Organs – Selby Abbey 2022

The time is nearly there for a repeat organ battle performance at Selby Abbey on September 2nd 2022 .

Internationally renowned organists Martin Baker and John Scott Whiteley will be taking turns on the Abbeys magnificent Hill organ, recently restored by Principal Pipe Organs, and the digital Regent Classic that was used in Canterbury Cathedral between 2018 and 2020 that will play through the speaker system permanently installed in the Selby triforium.

Martin recently retired from Westminster Cathedral came to the BBC proms rescue last week when he stepped in at short notice to fill the place booked with Olivier Latry.

John Scott Whiteley will need no introduction to a local Yorkshire audience as he was for many years organist at York Minster, where the pipe organ has recently undergone a magnificent restoration.

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Ticket Information for Battle of the Organs

Tickets available in advance on Selby Abbey’s website or on the door £16. Ticket includes a glass of wine or soft drink.

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Programme – Battle of the Organs

Join us as we welcome Martin Baker and John Scott Whiteley for our annual Battle of the Organs. These world class organists play two of the best organ consoles, battling against each other. Its a concert not to be missed.

The programme include works to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of H.M. The Queen and pieces in memory of Dr Francis Jackson.

The Organists – Martin Baker and John Scott Whitely

John Scott Whiteley is Organist Emeritus of York Minster, having worked at that great institution for 35 years until his retirement from it in 2010.

In 2014 he was elected to the Worshipful Company of Musicians, in recognition of his promotion of the organ and its music. He is a well-known and successful recitalist, and has made numerous recordings. A particular specialism is the music of J.S. Bach, and John recently worked on a comprehensive series of broadcasts for the BBC entitled “21^st Century Bach”, which aimed to cover the composer’s entire works for the organ.

 

Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral for 20 years, from 2000, and President of the Royal College of Organists (2017-2019), Martin Baker was born and educated in Manchester, progressing from the Royal Northern College of Music Junior School, Chetham’s School of Music and St Ambrose College to an Organ Scholarship at Downing from 1985-1988.

Martin is regarded as one of Britain’s finest choral conductors and organists having held distinguished posts at both Westminster Cathedral and Westminster Abbey in London.

As an organ soloist he won first prize in the Improvisation Competition at the St Albans International Organ Festival in 1997, and he performs solo recitals regularly throughout the UK as well as in Europe, the USA, and Russia. He is known particularly for his skill in organ improvisation.

About the Organs

The Organ of Selby Abbey is one of the finest romantic instruments in Britain. Built in 1909 by William Hill & Son, it is considered a magnificent example of one of the most highly-respected organ builders and a valuable survivor of this period of the firm’s work. The superb solid oak organ case was designed by John Oldred Scott, son of the celebrated George Gilbert Scott.

The Regent Classic instrument to be played in Selby has featured in a recording there by Dr Joseph Nolan and was also used in Canterbury Cathedral for 2 years to cover the recent period of the pipe organ rebuild.