Music Notes

It has been a momentous first quarter of 2025 for the music at St Giles’ Cathedral, with the refurbishment of the organ, the appointment of a new minister, and the choir have even had to adjust to a new Master of the Music! However, spirits are high, and there have been many wonderful services, concerts and events already this year, with lots more on the horizon

On 30th March we "re-awakened" our magnificent Rieger organ and marked the occasion with a performance of Louis Vierne’s monumental Messe Solenelle using two organs: the Rieger and the Makin digital instrument that has been used in its place these past two months. This was a first for St Giles’, and indeed, many choirs will have only been able to perform the piece with a single instrument, so we were very lucky indeed! It was spectacular

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the team from Rieger for their incredible craftsmanship and dedication to the project; their passion and pride for the instrument in St Giles’ underlies all their work here, and the organ is sounding as good as new. Thanks also to my colleagues in St Giles’, and to visitors, for their patience while the work has been taking place There has been a lot of disturbance in the cathedral these last two months, and everyone has been so accommodating and understanding – not an easy task, but greatly appreciated. In terms of concerts, St Giles’ at Six continues as ever, with a particular highlight being our cathedral choir’s performance of the Duruflé Requiem on Sunday 13th April – do register for a free ticket on Eventbrite as this will be popular We will also have two Sounds on Saturday organ recitals from the cathedral organists, one on Saturday 3rd May and the other on Saturday 24th May; I hope to see you there!

Jack Oades Master of the Music