The Lawrence Phelps organ of Hexham Abbey is regarded as one of the finest instruments in the country. It was built in Pennsylvania, USA, where the workshop was nased, and was shipped to the UK and installed in 1974. It was ordered to replace a failing instrument dating from the 19th century, and to celebrate the Abbey's 1300th Anniversary.

Unique in this country, it is built using a 'werkprinzip' design, and has a fine tracker action intended to mimic that of a harpsichord. Despite only having two manuels and thirty-four speaking stops, its specification and voicing are such that it is a completely versatile instrument, equaly at home with a vast array of recital repertoire and the demands of accompanying the repertoire of the Anglican Choral Tradition. It was inaugurated in 1974 by Dame Gillian Weir, who last played in 2014 to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

This years series features six recitalists between July and September:

Colin Andrews (Indiana, USA) 8th July

Marcus Wibberley (Hexham Abbey) 22nd July

Roger Judd (St Laurence, Ludlow) 5th August

Michael Haynes (Hexham Abbey) 19th August

Peter King (Organist Emeritus, Bath Abbey) 2nd September

Stephen Farr (St Paul's, Knightsbridge) 16th September

All recitals start at 6:00pm and last approximately 1 hour.

For further information, email directorofmusic@hexhamabbey.org.uk or contact the parish office at 01434 602031