David Briggs at St Columb’s Cathedral

The curtain will rise on his concert, entitled ‘Dance!’, at 7.30pm.

“It is an unbelievable musical coup for this city that one of the most accomplished organists in the world will be playing the magnificent organ in St Columb’s Cathedral this coming Friday, for a spectacular concert,” said the Dean of Derry, Very Rev Dr William Morton.

This is Mr Briggs’ fourth visit to the city to grace the organ console at St Columb’s Cathedral, where he will play what is acknowledged as one of the largest and finest, instruments of its kind in the north west of Ireland.

“The versatility of this world class performer can be gauged from the fact that David is equally at home playing an arrangement of Scott Joplin’s ‘The Entertainer’, or accompanying a silent movie, as he already has done in St Columb’s Cathedral, as he is playing some of the most demanding and intricate organ music of the great of J S Bach,” said Dean Morton.

He continued: “In other words, those hoping to attend his programme, which he has entitled, ‘Dance!’, on Friday are in for an absolute treat, which will include David accompanying on the organ a short silent movie.”

Extending an open invitation to attend the concert, Dean Morton added: “For those who have never been to such an event, or who feel it wouldn’t be for them, please come along. You will be very pleasantly surprised.”

Admission is free with a retiring collection.

Meanwhile, the Lenten Lunchtime Address Series in the Cathedral continues.

This year the lunchtime lecture series focuses upon the subject of issues which diminish life for many people and what help and support is available for them.

The next lecture will take place in the Cathedral tomorrow, Thursday, at 1.05 pm when the speaker will be Jacqueline Gallagher, manager of the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, whose address is entitled ‘Coping with Life’s Difficulties’. Followed by light refreshments, donations are in aid of The Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice.