Saturday 18th June 2011 - 19:30 - Opening Gala Recital - Dame Gillian Weir

The internationally renowned organist Gillian Weir has been in the forefront of her profession since winning the St Albans International Organ Competition in 1964 while still a scholarship student at the Royal College of Music (London), followed by a spectacular début both as concerto soloist in the famous Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall and as the youngest organist to give a solo recital at the Royal Festival Hall. She was launched immediately on a unique career as a virtuoso concert organist performing at the world's greatest concert halls and festivals and with leading orchestras and conductors, celebrated not only by the critics for her musicianship and artistry but by audiences worldwide for her appeal and powers of communication. Her reputation extends well beyond the world of the organ, in particular for her early championing of the music of Olivier Messiaen through her revelatory performances, recordings (still acclaimed by the critics as the finest available), writings and broadcast talks,; and acknowledged by the composer when he gave her the manuscript of his Méditations sur le Mystère de la Sainte Trinité to give the British première at the Royal Festival Hall.

Her repertoire however is exceptionally wide, ranging from early music to frequent contemporary premières with concertos from every period, and including much-acclaimed interpretations of the complete works of Bach; and her influence, through her charismatic performances and prized recordings combined with much sought-after masterclasses and other teaching, has been widespread, while her television appearances have brought vast new audiences to an appreciation of the organ. Her famous BBC television series of six programmes made in 1989 has just been released on DVD (distributed by Priory Records).

Her career continues to encompass the globe. Recent performances have included such venues as the Leipzig Gewandhaus, Los Angeles' Disney Hall, the restored Frauenkirche, Dresden, and the National Cathedral in Washington DC. She gave the first full-length recital on the new organ in Copenhagen's new Concert Hall and in May opened the organ in the Salzburg Mozarteum. Next year she will be concerto soloist with the Vienna Philharmonic and a major participant in the International Liszt year celebrations in Germany, while she is in much demand as a juror for international competitions.

Gillian Weir has been the recipient of numerous awards and honours, and in 1996 was honoured by the Queen with a Damehood for her services to music.

For further infomation please visit the website gillianweir.com