Stanford 100: The Organ Sonatas

2024 marks the centenary of the death of Dublin born composer, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. With a strong association with Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Stanford was one of the most significant composers of his day and left a large body of work in many genres, including orchestra music and opera. It is however, for his organ and choral music he is principally remembered today. This series presents concerts of Stanford’s organ music, each featuring one of his organ Sonatas and other works. The series is given by a five of Ireland’s leading organists.

SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER | 19.00 | Stuart Nicholson (organ)

Funeral March from Beckett (Op. 48, 1892)
(arranged Sydney H Nicholson)

Three Idylls (Op. 1942, 1922)
i. By the seashore
ii. In the country
iii. The Angelus

Sonata no.2 in G minor “Eroica” (Op. 151, 1917)
i. Rheims – Allegro moderato
ii. Tempo di Marcia solenne: Adagio molto
Verdun – Allegro moderato

Stuart Nicholson studied at the Royal College of Music in London with John Birch, during which time he was awarded scholarships at the Temple Church and Saint Paul’s Cathedral; graduating with a first class honours in July 1997 and a postgraduate oboe prize – the latter by accident. After graduating, Stuart spent 6 months as acting assistant organist of Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh followed by appointments at Waltham Abbey, Essex and Birmingham Cathedral. In 2010, Stuart was appointed Master of the Music at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, during this time  under his direction the Cathedral Choir has made 6 critically acclaimed CD recordings, broadcast on both RTÉ & BBC, given many concert performances across Ireland including on the stages of both the National Concert Hall & Gaiety Theatre, toured the US, UK, Sweden & Denmark, all in addition to singing 12 choral services weekly during term time. A keen arranger, Stuart has had many of his arrangements published by Hal Leonard and OUP and performed across the globe including by groups such as the BBC Singers, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

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