TO CELEBRATE the 350th anniversary of the building of the Cathedral’s organ case, Gloucester Cathedral organists past and present have been performing the chorale-fantasias of Max Reger in the centenary year of his death (1873-1916).

On Wednesday, October 19 at 7.30pm, Ashley Grote, former Assistant Director of Music at Gloucester Cathedral, will perform Reger’s Chorale-Fantasia: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, op. 27.

Ashley has held the post of Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral since September 2012.

He is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Cathedral music department, directing the boys’ and girls’ choirs in their busy programme of choral services, concerts, broadcasts and recordings, and is also conductor of Norwich Cathedral Chamber Choir.

Admission to the recital is free with a retiring collection in aid of Cathedral music.

To mark the closing night of the special series thre is a pre-concert drinks reception at 6.45pm.

Gloucester Cathedral’s organ was originally constructed in 1666 by Thomas Harris. It is the only complete 17th century cathedral organ case surviving in this country.

Max Reger (1873-1916) was a progressive early modernist composer in Germany who expanded upon the styles of Johann Sebastian Bach and Johannes Brahms.

He was considered one of the great composers of the era alongside Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler.

  • Gloucester Cathedral has a full programme of year round organ recitals, details of which can be found on their website at www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk