Organ Recital: Andrew Millington (formerly of Exeter Cathedral)

Andrew Millington’s career in Cathedral music has spanned some 40 years, most recently as Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral (1999-2015). He studied the organ at Worcester Cathedral before gaining an Organ Scholarship to Downing College, Cambridge. In 1975 he became Assistant Organist at Gloucester Cathedral where he was closely involved with The Three Choirs Festival. He held the conductorship of several notable choirs in the Midlands, two of which won major awards in the BBC competition 'Let the Peoples Sing'.

In 1983 he succeeded Philip Moore as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Guildford Cathedral. His work with the Guildford choir over a period of 16 years included foreign tours to European countries and North America, numerous recordings and an appearance at the BBC Proms. In addition to his Cathedral duties, he was closely involved with the Guildford International Music Festival, conductor of Bracknell Choral Society, Diocesan Organs Advisor and Chairman of the RSCM Guildford Area.

He has worked with several leading orchestras and he is well known as a recitalist. He has made several recordings as an organ soloist, including a highly-acclaimed DVD on the organ of Exeter Cathedral. He has played in most of the major venues in the UK, and in 1995 was organist for the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall. He is an examiner for The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and a past President of the Cathedral Organists’ Association.

At Exeter, his work with the Cathedral Choir included several broadcasts and recordings and highly successful tours of Russia, France, Norway and USA. He has been awarded honorary diplomas by the Guild of Church Musicians and the Royal School of Church Music. In 2003, he was appointed Director of Music of Exeter Philharmonic Choir and has conducted them in many of the major choral/orchestral works. He is the Honorary President of both the St Cecilia Singers of Gloucester and the Exmouth Choral Society. He is an active composer of church music and has had many works published.

In 2015 he stepped down from his post at Exeter in order to pursue freelance musical activities and much neglected hobbies.

Programme

Howells Psalm Prelude Set 2 No 3
Gibbons Fancy for a Double Orgaine
Walther Partita: Jesu meine Freude
Martin Passacaille
Messiaen Joie et clarté des Corps Glorieux (Les Corps Glorieux)
Liszt Fugue from Fantasy and Fugue on 'Ad nos, ad salutarem undam'