Canon Martin White returns to Armagh Cathedral for organ recital

The organisers of the 2026/2027 organ recital series will welcome back Canon Martin White to give the third performance in the Cathedral Recital Series in Armagh on Sunday, 22 November 2026, at 4:15 pm in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh. No stranger to the Cathedral, Martin served as Director of Music from 1968 until 2002 and was appointed a Lay Canon in 2004 in recognition of his musical contribution to worship.

Responding to the invitation, Martin expressed his pleasure at contributing to this year’s series on the fine Cathedral organ, which was rebuilt in 1996 to his specification, noting that his curated programme of six pieces demonstrates the instrument’s versatility and colours across all periods of organ music.

The recital will begin with Hendrik Andriessen’s noble Theme and Variations, followed by two short pieces by Samuel Wesley: Air and Gavotte, originally written for an 18th-century organ without pedals.

J.S. Bach’s Fugue in B minor, BWV 579, follows, showcasing an Italian influence based on two themes from Corelli's orchestral music. Martin has also included one of his favourite organ pieces, the Choral in A minor by Belgian composer César Franck, alongside George Thalben-Ball’s Elegy to mark November as the month of Remembrance.

The forty-minute recital will conclude with Olivier Messiaen’s spectacular, dramatic tour de force from the suite L'Ascension, entitled Transports de Joie (Outburst of Joy).

The Director of Music, Dr Stephen Timpany, shared his delight in welcoming his former teacher to give the November organ recital, praising Martin's intimate knowledge of the instrument.

All are welcome to attend this free forty-minute performance, with donations to the Choir Fund greatly appreciated. Following this event, the next recital in the series will be given by Mr Stephen Furphy in March 2027 (with a date yet to be agreed).