Lunchtime Concert: Simon Johnson, organ

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. There is a retiring collection.

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548
 

William Byrd (c.1540–1623)
A Fancie from My Ladye Nevells Booke

Jean Langlais (1907–1991)
Cantilène from Suite brève
 

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)
Fantasia and Toccata


Musician Biographies

Simon Johnson is one of the most versatile musicians of his generation, successfully combining life as a virtuoso organist with extensive work in choral direction, composition and arrangement.

In September 2021 he became Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral, responsible for its world-famous choir. For 13 years he was the Organist and Assistant Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral, and was involved in all the national occasions that took place there, including the funeral service of Baroness Thatcher, the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen and Her Majesty's 90th  Birthday celebrations, for which he also arranged some of the music.

Recitals have taken him all over Europe and the USA, as well as to many of the premier venues in the UK. He made his Royal Festival Hall debut in 2017 and his BBC Proms debut in 2025.  He has performed with groups such as the LSO, RPO, and The Sixteen and worked on the Oscar, Bafta and Grammy award-winning soundtrack for The Grand Budapest Hotel.

His compositions have been published by OUP and Peters Editions.


 

Donations

Chichester Cathedral's Lunchtime Concert series is self-supporting, and thrives through the generosity of its audiences. While there is no charge for admission, we suggest a minimum donation of £3 per person, with Gift Aid applied if possible. Donations can be made in the retiring collection, in the Cathedral, at our Visitor’s Desk or at various donation points, using cash, card and contactless or using the button below.

click here to donate online


Can't make it this time?

Lunchtime Concerts take place every Tuesday at 1.10pm during term-time, our talented performers come from across the UK and occasionally overseas, to delight our audiences with music from Beethoven to Chopin, Elgar to Mozart and more.

Download the autumn 2024 Programme