Ryedale District Council supports the Ryedale Festival.

Ampleforth Abbey

ALEXANDER MASON, organ - King of Instruments - Coffee concert

Alexander Mason, organ

Bach Passacaglia and Fugue in c BWV 582 'Spicer Kiwi Fireworks' Reger Introduction and Passacaglia in d'Alain Variations on a theme by Clément Jannequin 'Mason Improvisation on a theme submitted from the audience

Widely recognized as one of the leading organist-improvisers of his generation, Alexander Mason studied in Oxford, Paris and the Hague and is currently Assistant Organist at Lichfield Cathedral. Alexander will perform Bach’s mighty C minor Passacaglia, and then improvise on atheme submitted by the audience. The art of improvisation is as old as music itself, and Alexander’s inventive genius is second to none – with this rare chance to experience the power of Ampleforth’s great instrument, he promises to demonstrate why the organ is called the King of Instruments!