Organ Recital: James Orford

The 2022 Organ Recital Series sees the cathedral welcome first-rate organists to play Truro’s acclaimed Father Willis Organ. This week's performer is James Orford from St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge.
The series runs from March to October and each recital lasts around 45 minutes.
PROGRAMME
Niagara.....Jonathan Dove (b. 1959)
Postlude pour l'Office de Complies.....Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Trio Sonata No 2 in C minor, BWV 526.....Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Paraphrase on "Ave Maris stella".....Kerensa Briggs (b. 1991)
Fête.....Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
BIO
James Orford is currently the Acting Head of Organ and College Organist at Eton College as well as being the Assistant Director of Music at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. This follows two years as the Organist in Residence at Westminster Cathedral, before which he was the Organ Scholar at St Paul's Cathedral. Previous positions include the Organ Scholarships at Truro Cathedral, the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and King’s College, London. He studied with Bine Bryndorf and David Titterington at the Royal Academy of Music, obtaining top marks in both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and was awarded the Duchess of Gloucester's award for exemplary studentship upon completion of his undergraduate course.
James enjoys a busy performing schedule and has given recitals and concerts in many of the UK’s most notable venues and at a number of major festivals. In 2021, his debut solo album - a complete organ transcription of Vivaldi's L'estro Armonico - was released on the Linn Record Label. Other notable solo engagements include performing Messiaen’s La Nativité at Westminster Cathedral on Christmas Eve in 2019, giving a recital as part of St Paul’s Cathedral’s “Parry 100” series in 2019, and being the pianist for St Paul’s Cathedrals concert series in 2020 commemorating the 150th anniversary of Louis Vierne’s birth.
As well as his solo playing, James also enjoys a busy schedule as an accompanist, both on the organ and piano. He is the accompanist for Thames Philharmonic Choir and the London Choral Sinfonia and has worked with The Sixteen, The Monteverdi Choir, and Sansara. He appears on critically acclaimed CDs with the London Choral Sinfonia and the Chapel Choirs of both the Royal Hospital Chelsea and King's College, London. These discs include a world premiere recording of an organ concerto by Richard Pantcheff, which was written for him and the London Choral Sinfonia, and a world premiere recording of Ralph Vaughan William’s own arrangement of the Five Mystical Songs with Roderick Williams as the soloist.
Each lunchtime concert is completely free to attend, the cathedral only asks that if you are able, you consider making a donation - the income generated by the generosity of both the audience and artists (who play for free) directly supports music at the cathedral and the ability to continue to offer such community events.
Truro Cathedral is a self-funded organisation and relies on public donations to meet costs, especially after having been significantly financially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is finding ways to continue to support its community through activities such as live-streaming. Truro Cathedral welcomes regular or single donations from its supporters. If you would like to set up a regular or single donation, please either contact us via [e-mail] or 01872 276782. You can also make regular donations by visiting the cathedral JustGiving page