On Sunday 15th May, South Devon’s Buckfast Abbey will host a launch event for a new CD which features the complete organ music of Father Sebastian Wolff – a former respected Organist at Buckfast Abbey.
The event has been organised to celebrate Wolff’s significant contribution to the world of organ music in the twentieth century, and will take the form of a 30-minute concert recital and presentation of the CD in the Abbey Church, followed by a drinks reception with Fr Sebastian in the Abbey’s newly refurbished Schiller Hall.
Fr Sebastian Wolff has been a monk at Buckfast Abbey since 1948 and his name is synonymous with the Abbey’s rich musical heritage. During his tenure as Organist, he forged an impressive vocation both as a solo recitalist and as a composer. His duties as Organist to the community of monks in their regular cycle of prayer and liturgy, and the undeniable beauty of the Abbey church, have both over the years inspired the creation of his music. This new CD recording offers a comprehensive account of his achievements as an acclaimed solo organist.
Commencing at 4:15pm on Sunday 15th May, the short recital of Fr Sebastian’s works will be given by former Abbey Organist Richard Lea, and offers attendees the opportunity to purchase the CD at a discount price ahead of its official release date. Only on Friday 27th May 2022 will the CD be made available to purchase on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, the Abbey gift shop, and via the Abbey’s own in-house record label’s website, www.adfontes.org.uk.
The recording artist Richard Lea, Organist of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, was able to spend considerable amounts of time with Fr Sebastian Wolff in preparing the recording, and the great variety of styles and musical forces featured on the recording pays tribute to the composer’s kaleidoscopic output.
Commenting on the upcoming concert, Philip Arkwright, Buckfast Abbey Organist and Master of Music, said: “Dom Sebastian Wolff’s name is forever linked with the development of the wonderful musical and liturgical tradition here at Buckfast Abbey. This double disc set is a celebration of an impressive and full musical life, and we are delighted to be able to add it to our growing collection of recordings.”
Recognised as both a place of worship and as a centre of musical excellence, Buckfast Abbey with its unique Ruffatti Organ and dramatic lantern ceiling is the perfect venue to host this special organ recital.
Tickets for the concert are priced at £5 and are available to purchase now from https://www.buckfast.org.uk/product/tickets/launch-event-for-a-new-ad-fontes-cd-of-the-organ-music-of-dom-sebastian-wolff or from the Abbey Bookshop. Advanced booking is advised, as seating is unreserved and on a first come, first served basis.
The double disc set recording, released on the Abbey’s own record label Ad Fontes, will be available for attendees to purchase at the concert at a reduced rate. For more information, visit www.adfontes.org.uk.
For further information on the other concerts and events taking place at the Abbey this year, view the 2022 music brochure here:https://www.buckfast.org.uk/uploads/documents/Concerts%20&%20Organ%20Recitals%202022%20(web).pdf
Buckfast Abbey is conveniently located midway between Exeter and Plymouth, just off the A38. Home to a community of Benedictine monks, the Abbey offers a unique, tranquil ambience, and is open seven days a week to the public. For more information on Buckfast Abbey visit https://www.buckfast.org.uk.