Born in Swansea, Huw Williams is Director of Music at Bath Abbey, where he directs its renowned choirs of boys, girls and lay-clerks. A conductor and award-winning organist of international standing, he served until recently as Director of Music at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’ Palace, where his predecessors included Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and Henry Purcell. Whilst at the Chapel Royal he conducted the music for Prince George’s Christening, the Queen’s Christmas message in 2015, the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph, and numerous other events in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and former Organ Scholar of Christ’s College, Cambridge, his musical achievements led to him being awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He was recently awarded the Associate of the Royal School of Church Music and he will be receiving this award at Chester Cathedral in October.

Alongside his conducting work, Huw enjoys an international career as an organ recitalist and accompanist. He was principal organist at St Paul’s Cathedral for ten years, where he played for numerous high-profile and state occasions and many of his compositions have been performed at St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and further afield. Huw has made over 20 recordings as accompanist with The Sixteen and with St Paul’s and Hereford Cathedral Choirs. He is an editor of the Revised English Hymnal, to be published later this year.

Programme

C.V. Stanford (1852-1924) – Fantasia and Toccata

G.F. Handel (1685-1759) – Concerto in Bb (arr M. Dupre)
i) A tempo ordinario e staccato  ii) Allegro  iii) Adagio e staccato  iv) Allegro ma non presto

F. Mendelssohn (1809-1847) – Sonata No 2
i) Grave – Adagio  ii) Allegro Maestoso e vivace  iii) Fuga Allegro moderato

A. Heiller (1923-1979) – Ecce Cruce lignum

L. Sowerby (1895-1968) – Toccata