Music at GMC

Concert: Organ Recital Date: 7.30pm, Saturday 14th May, 2016 Performer: Jennifer Bate Programme Voluntary No 1 in C, Op 5 - John Stanley Adagio (Diapasons) Andante (Trumpet) Slow Allegro (Echoes and Flute) Largo, Allegro and Variations - Festing (arr. Thalben-Ball) Pastorale in F (4 movements) - JS Bach Sonata No 4 in B flat - Felix Mendelssohn Allegro con brio Andante religioso Allegretto Allegro maestoso e vivace INTERVAL Grand Choeur in G - Théodore Dubois Prelude, Fugue and Variation - César Franck Variations on a Gregorian theme - Jennifer Bate Festal Fanfare - Jennifer Bate

Jennifer Bate is in the top rank of international organists and has long been a favourite at all the world's great festivals. Many composers have written for her, inspired by her phenomenal technique and ability to bring out the colours of the organ. Jennifer gives master-classes worldwide and lectures on a wide range of musical subjects.

In 1990, Jennifer's artistry and outstanding contribution to music received international recognition with the Personnalité de l'Année award by the French-based jury. She was only the third British artist to achieve this distinction, after Sir Georg Solti and Sir (later Lord) Yehudi Menuhin. In 1996, Jennifer was granted Honorary Citizenship of the Italian province of Alessandria for her services to music in Northern Italy over 20 years. In 2002, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2007, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music by Bristol University and, in 2008, was made an OBE in The Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Jennifer's recent European recitals have included the Concert Hall, Stavanger, her third appearance at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Las Palmas and the inaugural recital of the new organ in Catania Cathedral, Sicily. In September 2014, Jennifer opened the first International Organ Series on the recently refurbished organ at the Royal Festival Hall.

We were pleased and honoured to have Jennifer perform for us at Gillingham Methodist Church.