Harvest music and praise at Cathedral

Dressed for the season of mellow fruitfulness, St Columb’s Cathedral once again came alive with the sound of music and praise at the weekend, for Sunday’s Harvest Services and for a special organ recital on Friday night.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Oct 2015, 14:58 BST
Members of the St Columb's Cathedral choir who took part in a Festal Choral Evensong for Thanksgiving for the Blessings of Harvest on Sunday evening. Included are Dr Martin Neary, guest organist, Dean William Morton and Canon David Crooks. INLS4015-151KMMembers of the St Columb's Cathedral choir who took part in a Festal Choral Evensong for Thanksgiving for the Blessings of Harvest on Sunday evening. Included are Dr Martin Neary, guest organist, Dean William Morton and Canon David Crooks. INLS4015-151KM
Members of the St Columb's Cathedral choir who took part in a Festal Choral Evensong for Thanksgiving for the Blessings of Harvest on Sunday evening. Included are Dr Martin Neary, guest organist, Dean William Morton and Canon David Crooks. INLS4015-151KM

The guest of honour was Dr Marin Nearly, former Organist and Choirmaster at Westminster Abbey, who returned for his sixth residency at the Cathedral, where he worked with the Choir and the Cathedral Chamber Choir, culminating in an uplifting Festal Choral Evensong on Sunday evening.

Music and prayer were sung by the Cathedral Choir and Chamber Choir, arranged by Dr Neary, with organist Dr Derek Collins.

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The sermon was rendered by Canon David Crooks (see Page 14) and the readings were by the Dean of Derry, Very Rev Dr William Morton, who performed the official welcome votes of thanks.

Dean William Morton pictured with Dr Martin Neary, who gave an organ recital in St Columb's Cathedral on Friday evening. INLS4015-150KMDean William Morton pictured with Dr Martin Neary, who gave an organ recital in St Columb's Cathedral on Friday evening. INLS4015-150KM
Dean William Morton pictured with Dr Martin Neary, who gave an organ recital in St Columb's Cathedral on Friday evening. INLS4015-150KM

Meanwhile, on Friday night, Dr Neary began his three-day residential at the Cathedral with an organ recital, for which he chose seven select pieces: Prelude and Fugue in E Flat BWV 552, JS Bach; Pieces for Mechanical Clock, Granz-Joseph Hayden; Fantasia for mechanical organ K 608, Mozart; Choral No 3 in A Minor, Cesar Franck; Master Tallis’ Testament Piece No.3, Herbert Howells; A Chorale Prelude on ‘St Columba’, Robin Milford and postlude Op.105 Set 2 No.6, Charles Villiers Stanford.

An audience of over 150 people attended the recital, and a retiring collection was taken up to help fund future recital visits and residentials.

To watch a video of Dr Neary talking about his love of music during his visit to St Columb’s Cathedral go to www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk

Related topics:Cathedral