Lunchtime Concert: Charles Harrison

Chichester Cathedral's popular lunchtime concerts take place on Tuesdays at 1.10pm during term time, in the spectacular setting of the Cathedral Nave. They are free and last approximately 50 minutes. You are welcome to come and go as you please. Coffee is available at no extra charge, and some visitors even bring a sandwich! There is a retiring collection.

Programme:

Symphony No. 1 
by Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937)

I. Prélude
II. Fugue
III. Pastorale
IV. Allegro vivace
V. Andante
VI. Final

Charles Harrison is Organist and Master of the Choristers at Chichester Cathedral, where he directs the choir of boys and men, which sings eight services each week, broadcasts frequently on national radio and makes regular tours abroad.

Charles was organ scholar of Jesus College in the University of Cambridge, where he took a degree in music, and studied organ with the late David Sanger. During his second year at Cambridge, Charles won prizes for his performance in the Fellowship examinations of the Royal College of Organists. He went on to win prizes in the international organ competitions at St Albans and Odense; these successes have led to a busy programme of engagements, including concerts at many of the celebrated venues in Britain, and solo performances in France, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, USA, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Iceland and Poland. Concerto work has included performances with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra, both broadcast by the BBC. In 2006, he was invited by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales to join them for a recording and broadcast of works by Florent Schmitt.

As accompanist and continuo player, Charles has worked with many leading soloists, conductors and ensembles, including Roy Goodman, Steven Isserlis, Stephen Cleobury, the BBC Singers and Andreas Scholl. In 2010, he appeared with the Ulster Orchestra at the BBC Proms, playing the mighty organ of the Royal Albert Hall. With David Leigh, Charles released a disc of music for organ duet, recorded at Lincoln Cathedral, and distributed by Guild Records.