Darius Battiwalla © Justin Slee

Darius Battiwalla

Name: Darius Battiwalla — Leeds City Organist opens the 2026/27 season of Lunchtime Organ Music concerts
Start: 2026-09-14T13:15:00+01:00
Location: Leeds Cathedral

Leeds City Organist opens the 2026/27 season of Lunchtime Organ Music concerts

Leeds Lunchtime Organ Music

Mon 14 Sep 1.15PM

Leeds Cathedral

Free admission

Mon 14 Sep

1.15PM

Free admission

Programme

Alfred Hollins Concert Overture No 2, in C minor
César Franck Pastorale
Johann Sebastian Bach Prelude & Fugue in A minor, BWV 543
Ghislaine Reece-Trapp Mixolydiance
John Ireland Cavatina
Charles Villiers Stanford Fantasia & Toccata, Op 57

The English Romantic tradition features strongly in the opening recital of the season, with dramatic and lyrical pieces by Alfred Hollins and Charles Villiers Stanford to open and close the concert. In between, we hear César Franck and John Ireland in expressive mode, and a rhythmic and characterful piece by organist and awardwinning composer, Ghislaine Reece-Trapp.

Darius Battiwalla is Leeds City Organist.

About the series

Our recital series in 2026/27 will be the final full season to take place at St Anne’s Cathedral before our return to Leeds Town Hall, and we are immensely grateful to the Dean and all the staff here for their hospitality and support over the last five years.

This season we welcome organists from the cathedrals of St Paul, Winchester, Wakefield, Ripon, and Lincoln as well as many eminent concert organists. For the first time in the series, we celebrate the link with one of Leeds’ twin cities, Dortmund, and we also have the Leeds Lunchtime Organ series premiere of one of the organ pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach newly discovered (or rather newly attributed) last year.

We’re very grateful to you, our audience, for your support and enthusiasm – please continue to give as generously as you can to enable the series to continue and grow as we return to Leeds Town Hall.

Darius Battiwalla
Leeds City Organist

Free admission, no booking required. Simply turn up and enjoy the music!

Find out how you can support our free lunchtime concerts