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Journey through Shropshire

by OrganistPaul|Published July 5, 2018

Organist Paul Carr presents four free summer lunchtime organ recitals at four churches in Shropshire. Paul presents a different programme at each recital.

Bach
Church Stretton
Concert
Festival
Handel
Holy Trinity
Lunchtime
Organist
Paul Carr
Recital
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
St Chad's
Toccata & Fugue in D minor
Walton
Whitchurch
Wistanstow

Author

OrganistPaul

15 posts

Organ Recital Lichfield Cathedral

Music for Reflection Series 2018 Wednesday 29th August – 1.15 p.m. Part of the Imagine Peace Season Paul Carr – Organ Programme […]

Published August 1, 2018

Great Witley

Following his four lunchtime recitals in Shropshire (More here…) Paul presents a further programme in the beautiful setting of St Michael’s Great […]

St Alkmund's Whitchurch Shropshire Organ Case

Published August 1, 2018

Lunchtime Organ Concert at St Alkmund’s, Whitchurch.

A thoroughly enjoyable day was spent in Whitchurch, Shropshire getting to know the beautiful instrument at St Alkmund’s church. The lunchtime Organ […]

Published July 26, 2019

New York, New York

Paul’s first recital in New York City was given in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday July 21st 2019…

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Paul Carr in Chicago

Fourth Church Chicago Organ Dedication Concert Review

“Paul Carr’s dedication concert of the new Quimby organ at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago was absolutely electrifying and he received an instant standing ovation from the hundreds of enthusiastic people that attended. He brought out so many colors from the organ, creating wonderful effects and a huge range of expression. His technical abilities made even the most difficult of pieces sound easy, yet he always played with a musical expression perfectly suited for each piece. His comments between pieces were delightful and helped the audience enjoy the concert even more. If every organ concert was as enjoyable as the one played by Paul Carr, organ concerts would be packed to the rafters.”

Dr John W W Sherer, Director of Music, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, USA, 2016

Other Reviews

‘2020 got off to a tremendous start on Tuesday 7 Jan when newcomer to Alton, Paul Carr, gave a most stunning organ concert. He opened his eclectic programme with his own arrangement of Johann Strauss II Overture to Die Fledermaus. What a start it was – demonstrating manual dexterity, absolute command of the instrument, maximum use of the organs colours and, overall, a standard that caused a widespread jaw dropping “wow” factor and spontaneous applause! (Usually, we reserve applause at the start and end of concerts but this was from the heart) Thereon, Paul’s programme went from strength to strength underlining this man’s utter professionalism. His programme was varied in taste and all pieces were delivered with expertise and musicianship of the highest order. A full review will follow but to see what you may have missed, Paul’s programme is shown here. Having ended on a high playing Vierne’s Symphony No 6: Final, Paul added as an encore, John Stanley’s (1713-86) B flat Trumpet Voluntary. The overall opinion from the audience was we must invite Paul back to Alton…soon!’

St Laurence, Alton 2020

‘…thank you very much indeed for your excellent and most enjoyable recital at Wesley last Saturday. You presented a very well balanced programme to show off the facets of the organ and also to appeal to the audience. …. Your introductions were just right and we had a lot of very appreciative comments about the recital from those who came.’

Wesley Methodist Centre Chester, 2019

‘Very many thanks, Paul, for your splendid recital for our Grand Re-opening of the Organ – the programme was absolutely perfect for our audience, our organ and the occasion – it made the recital really easy to sell and resulted in the Church being full to capacity which was wonderful. Your playing, as always, was stunning and our audience went home very happy – thank you so much for making our Grand Re-opening Concert such a successful and happy occasion… We do hope you will come and play for us again.’

Re-opening Organ Concert
Holy Trinity, Llandudno, 2018

‘Thanks for a superb recital Wednesday evening…. This was my first live experience of the Salisbury Willis and it certainly is an impressive instrument. Choice of programme also provided new experiences including the Bossi Etude, which was a real delight. Thanks especially for the Bach Sinfonia encore, which is a personal favourite transcribed for organ. Registered in a way I feel sure JSB would have used that mighty machine had it been available!….’

‘What tremendous pleasure it gave me to be present at your usual impeccable performance on that magnificent instrument, and I have a feeling, that to a greater or lesser degree, you are inspired by the particular organ you are playing at the time, and in this case I am literally running out of superlatives to describe what I was hearing… thanks for a memorable occasion.’

Salisbury Cathedral, 2017

“You played an outstanding Organ Prom again, and the audience really did appreciate it… Programme, playing and registrations were, as usual, to the highest standards, and I hope that you will return again.”

Victoria Hall Hanley, 2016

More reviews here…

“Ein glänzend aufgelegter Paul Carr zeigte in einem wahren Feuerwerk abwechslungsreicher Werke mit hohen Tempi und farbigen Registrierungen („More Organ Fireworks“) sein enormes virtuoses sowie künstlerisches Können und begeisterte das Publikum mit technischer Brillanz und musikalischem Einfühlungsvermögen.”

Orgelpunkt Magdeburg Dom, 2016

Past performances 2021

No live performances possible yet due to the global pandemic. For online performances please see the WATCH page.

Past performances 2020

10th October 2020
Rochdale Town Hall
Brereton Memorial Recital

Performances cancelled or postponed due to Coronavirus pandemic listed here

15th March 2020
St Bartholomew’s Church Penn, Wolverhampton
BACH @ BART’S Organ recital

8th March 2020
St Bartholomew’s Church Penn, Wolverhampton
BACH @ BART’S Organ recital

1st March 2020
Holy Trinity Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

12th February 2020
Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
Soundbites Lunchtime Organ Concert

2nd February 2020
Holy Trinity Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

1st February 2020
Selly Oak Methodist Church
Accompanist for ‘Come & Sing’ Beethoven Mass in C with Birmingham Bach Choir

30th January 2020
Netherton Arts Centre
Accompanist for Rotary Young Musician of the Year Competition

7th January 2020
St Laurence Church, Alton
Organ Recital

5th January 2020
Holy Trinity Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

2nd January 2020
St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham
‘Thursday Live’ Organ Recital

During 2019…

15th December 2019
St Alban’s Highgate, Birmingham
Nine Lessons & Carols with Birmingham Bach Choir

14th December 2019
St Alkmund’s Church, Shrewsbury
Concert with Shrewsbury Cantata Choir

8th December 2019
Christ Church, Coseley
Directing The St Ignatius Singers for the Advent Tree of Light service

7th December 2019
St James’ Church, Eve Hill
Christmas Concert with Dudley Choral Society

5th December 2019
St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham
‘Thursday Live’ Organ Recital

1st December 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

23rd November 2019
Wesley Methodist Centre, Chester
Organ Recital

17th November 2019
St Barnabas Church, Linslade
Concert with Open University Chorus – Duruflé Requiem, etc.

14th November 2019
Christchurch Priory
Organ Recital

9th November 2019
Stoke Minster
Organ Recital

3rd November 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

2nd November 2019
Great Malvern Priory
Organ Recital

25th October 2019
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Open University Degree Ceremonies

16th October 2019
St Albans Cathedral
Organ Concert

6th October 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

3rd October 2019
St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham
‘Thursday Live’ Organ Recital

29th September 2019
St Francis’ Church, Bournville
Directing The St Ignatius Singers for Choral Evensong

28th September 2019
Coventry Cathedral
Playing for Choral Evensong with the choir of St Bart’s Penn

14th September 2019
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Open University Degree Ceremonies

1st September 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

27th August 2019
Tewkesbury Abbey
Organ Concert

25th August 2019
St Mary’s Church, Handsworth
Directing The St Ignatius Singers for James Watt Bicentennial Choral Evensong

16th August 2019
St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury
Concert in the Round

12th August 2019
Coventry Cathedral
Lunchtime Organ Recital

10th August 2019
St Mary’s Slough
Lunchtime Organ Recital

8th August 2019
St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham
Recital: Thursday Live Summer Organ Festival

6th August 2019
St Alkmund’s, Whitchurch
Lunchtime Organ Concert

4th August 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

2nd August 2019
St Werburgh’s Church, Chester
First Friday Recital Series

21st July 2019
St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York
Kilgen Organ Recital

13th-14th July 2019
Worcester Cathedral
Choral services playing for Priory Voices

7th July 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

6th July 2019
St Hilda’s Warley
3-Shires Festival Recital

12th June 2019
St Mary’s Guildford
Bach Recital

7th June 2019
Emmanuel Wylde Green
Lunchtime Organ Recital

6th June 2019
St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham
‘Thursday Live’ Organ Recital

2nd June 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

17th May 2019
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Open University Degree Ceremonies

14th May 2019
Neuadd Dewi Sant
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Organ Concert

5th May 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

2nd May 2019
St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham
‘Thursday Live’ Organ Recital

13th April 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Concert – Bernstein: Chichester Psalms and Duruflé: Requiem with Dudley Choral Society

7th April 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

1st April 2019
Royal Hospital School Chapel, Holbrook
Organ Recital

30th March 2019
St Cuthbert’s Church, Doveridge
Choral Concert with Uttoxeter Choral Society

23rd March 2019
St Thomas’ Church, Stourbridge
Handel Messiah with Gig Caritas

5th March 2019
St Andrew’s Church, Netherton
‘Pipes & Pancakes’ Organ Concert

3rd March 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

2nd March 2019
Coventry Cathedral
Directing the St Ignatius Singers for Choral Evensong

16th-17th February 2019
Gloucester Cathedral
Choral services playing for Priory Voices

7th February 2019
St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham
‘Thursday Live’ Organ Recital

5th February 2019
Abbey Gate College, Chester
Adjudicating the Mary Caven House Music Festival

3rd February 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

2nd February 2019
St Mary’s Handsworth
Directing The St Ignatius Singers Choral Matins for The Prayer Book Society, Birmingham

6th January 2019
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

4th January 2019
St Paul’s Cathedral, London
Choral Evensong with The Choir of St John the Baptist, Devizes

Highlights 2018…

30th December 2018
Birmingham Cathedral
playing for The Half Circle Singers

15th December 2018
Rocester Parish Church
Handel’s Messiah with Uttoxeter Choral Society

1st December 2018
St James’ Church Chipping Campden
Concert with Chipping Campden Festival Chorus

17th November 2018
Bournbrook Hall, Bournville Gardens
Concert directing Selly Park Singers

4th November 2018
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Directing The St Ignatius Singers; Antonio Lotti’s Missa pro defunctis for All Souls’ Requiem

20th-21st October 2018
Lincoln Cathedral
Choral services playing for Priory Voices

21st September 2018
Eglwys Dewi Sant, Cardiff
Lunchtime Organ Recital

2nd September 2018
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Sunday Afternoon Organ Music

29th August 2018
Lichfield Cathedral
Organ Recital; Music for Reflection Series

19th August 2018
St Michael’s Witley Court, Great Witley
Organ Recital

11th August 2018
St Laurence’s Parish Church, Ludlow
‘Ludlow Arts’ Lunchtime Organ Recital

9th August 2018
Holy Trinity, Wistanstow
Stretton Arts Festival Lunchtime Organ Recital

21st-22nd July 2018
Bristol Cathedral
Choral services playing for Priory Voices

10th July 2018
Holy Trinity Llandudno, Wales
Grand Re-Opening Organ Concert

8th July 2018
St Hilda’s, Warley
Directing 3-Shires Festival Choir for Choral Evensong

30th June 2018
St Alban’s Birmingham
Espressivo! Concert of Italian music with Birmingham Bach Choir

28th June 2018
Christchurch Priory
Lunchtime Organ Recital

24th June 2018
St Alban’s Birmingham
Directing The St Ignatius Singers for Choral Evensong

16th June 2018
Malvern Priory
Espressivo! Concert of Italian music with Birmingham Bach Choir

8th June 2018
St John the Baptist, Cardiff
Lunchtime Organ Recital

6th June 2018
St George’s Church, Edgbaston
Lunchtime Concert directing Selly Park Singers

14th May 2018
St Michael’s Baddesley Clinton
Directing The St Ignatius Singers at Choral Evensong for the Bluebell Festival

7th-8th April 2018
Exeter Cathedral
Choral services playing for Priory Voices

24th March 2018
Dudley Town Hall
Gig Caritas Concert (Celeste/Choir)

10th March 2018
Ellesmere College Chapel
Concert with Ellesmere Sinfonia & Choral Society

8th March 2018
St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol
Lunchtime Organ Concert

18th February 2018
St Paul’s Cathedral, London
Sunday Grand Organ Recital

4th February 2018
Holy Trinity Parish Church, Wordsley
Directing The St Ignatius Singers at the first Choral Evensong at Holy Trinity in over 25 years.

24th January 2018
Blackburn Cathedral
Lunchtime Organ Concert

18th January 2018
Ripon Cathedral
Lunchtime Organ Concert

Highlights… 2017

16th December 2017
St Nicholas Alcester
Concert with The Alcester Singers

24th November 2017
Bradford Cathedral
Wednesday@One Organ Recital

14th November 2017
Bristol Cathedral
Lunchtime Organ Recital

30th September 2017
Ellesmere College
‘Come & Sing’ Mozart Requiem with Paul Spicer

30th August 2017
Salisbury Cathedral
Evening Organ Recital

22nd-27th August 2017
Worcester Cathedral
Choral services playing for the choir of St Bart’s Penn

15th August 2017
Hereford Cathedral
Lunchtime Organ Concert

23rd July 2017
St Michael’s, Tenbury
Choral services directing The St Ignatius Singers

15th-16th July 2017
Ely Cathedral
Choral services playing for Priory Voices

17th June 2017
Tewkesbury Abbey
Organ solos and accompanying The City of Birmingham Choir

20th May 2017
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Walton and Finzi with Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra and The City of Birmingham Choir

21st April 2017
Stephansdom, Vienna
Mass and Choral concert with The City of Birmingham Choir
Handel’s Messiah with St Stephen’s Orchestra and The City of Birmingham Choir

8th April 2017
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Audition d’orgue

24th February 2017
St Bride’s Fleet Street, London
Lunchtime Organ Recital