Date: 19th April 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
International Organ Recitalist Performs at Cathedral
Described by The Times as “esteemed wizard of the organ” the Cathedral is extremely proud that Jennifer
Bate OBE agreed to play in the current season of Wednesday Lunchtime Organ Recitals and performs on
Wednesday 1st May. Ms Bate is in the top rank of international organists and has long been a favourite at
all the world's great festivals. Many composers have written for her, inspired by her phenomenal technique
and ability to bring out the colours of the organ. Ms Bate also gives master-classes worldwide and lectures
on a wide range of musical subjects.
In 1990, Jennifer's artistry and outstanding contribution to music received international recognition with the
Personnalité de l'Année award by the French-based jury. She was only the third British artist to achieve this
distinction, after Sir Georg Solti and Sir (later Lord) Yehudi Menuhin. In 1996, Jennifer was granted
Honorary Citizenship of the Italian province of Alessandria for her services to music in Northern Italy over
20 years. In 2002, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2007, she was awarded an
Honorary Doctorate in Music by Bristol University and, in 2008, was made an OBE in The Queen's
Birthday Honours List.
Jennifer is recognised as the world authority on the organ works of Olivier Messiaen, with whom she
worked extensively and became his organist of choice. Her world première recording of his last
masterpiece for organ, Livre du Saint Sacrement, had exceptional international success, winning a Grand Prix
du Disque. In 1995, Jennifer opened the Messiaen Festival at l'Eglise de la Sainte Trinité, Paris, where his
complete organ works were performed and recorded. Among numerous awards for her CD, were the
Diapason d'Or (France) and Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik (Germany). In the Spring 2011 list of
awards, M. Frédéric Mitterand, Minister of Culture and Communication, awarded Jennifer Bate the rank of
Officier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres, stating that this honour is awarded to renowned artists and
writers who have promoted French culture throughout the world. Subsequently, on 13 July, President Sarkozy
appointed Jennifer Bate to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur, on
the recommendation of M. Alain Juppé, Minister of State and Minister of Foreign and European affairs,
stating that this honour is awarded in recognition of her immense skill as an organist and her eminent contribution
to making Olivier Messiaen's organ works more widely known throughout the world. She received both awards
from the French Ambassador in 2012.
Recent overseas engagements have included recitals in Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Italy,
Monaco and Spain. UK engagements have included a solo BBC Promenade Concert and Messiaen's Livre du
Saint Sacrement in the South Bank Messiaen Festival in Westminster Cathedral. She has also given public
lectures at Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol Universities.
Bradford’s Director of Music, Alex Woodrow, will welcome Jennifer Bate to the Cathedral for an exciting
programme covering pieces from the 15th to 20th century including work by Bach, Franck, Guilmant,
Duruflé, Berkley, and her own composition ‘Toccata on a theme of Martin Shaw’. The season continues
until 10th July, closing with Alex Woodrow. Recitals start at 1.05pm and last just under an hour – timed so
that city workers should be able to fit them into their lunch break.
YOURS : FAITHFULLY
info@bradfordcathedral.org
www.bradfordcathedral.org
Bradford Cathedral, Stott Hill, Bradford, BD1 4EH
T: 01274 777720 F: 01274 777730
For further details please contact the Cathedral Office on 01274 777720.
END
Sandra Howard
PA to the Dean & Administrator
T: 01274 777723
E: sandra.howard@bradfordcathedral.org
2
YOURS : FAITHFULLY
info@bradfordcathedral.og
www.bradfordcathedral.org
Bradford Cathedral, Stott Hill, Bradford, BD1 4EH
T: 01274 777720 F: 01274 777730