Stanford 100: The Organ Sonatas

2024 marks the centenary of the death of Dublin born composer, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. With a strong association with Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Stanford was one of the most significant composers of his day and left a large body of work in many genres, including orchestra music and opera. It is however, for his organ and choral music he is principally remembered today. This series presents concerts of Stanford’s organ music, each featuring one of his organ Sonatas and other works. The series is given by a five of Ireland’s leading organists.

SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER | 19.00 | David Leigh (organ)

Fantasia and Toccata in D minor (Op. 57, 1894)

Six Preludes (Op. 88, 1903)
i. In Form of a Minuet
ii. In Form of a Chaconne
iii. In Form of a Toccata
iv. On the Easter Hymn
v. In Form of a Pastorale
vi. On “Tallis’ Canon”

Sonata No 1 (Op. 149, 1917)
i. Allegro molto moderato
ii. Tempo di Menuetto
iii. Allegro maestoso

David Leigh is the Organist of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, where, in addition to presiding at the Willis organ, he runs the Schola (Senior Girls’ Choir). He is also musical director of the University of Dublin Choral Society, Culwick Choral Society and of chamber choir The Gaudete Singers. He maintains a busy freelance career as an organ recitalist, choral and orchestral conductor and keyboard player, and is currently Artistic Director of the Pipeworks Festival. He features on many recordings, including five critically acclaimed solo discs.

David was educated at Bolton School, Lancashire and Oxford University, where he was organ scholar of St Peter’s College, and assisting organist of Magdalen College. He is a prize-winning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists. Prior to college, he was organ scholar of Blackburn and Lichfield Cathedrals, and moved to Dublin in 1997.

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