Classical 89 is pleased to present “Organ Fest XIV” in the Cathedral of the Madeleine on September 15.

This popular annual event, now in its 14th year, features organists from the Salt Lake Tabernacle (Richard Elliott, Andrew Unsworth, Brian Mathias, Linda Margetts, and Joseph Peeples) and organists at the Cathedral of the Madeleine (Gabriele Terrone and James Goldrick). The concert is free and will be presented at the Cathedral of the Madeleine at 331 E South Temple in Salt Lake City on Friday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend and enjoy the majestic sound of the amazing cathedral organ as it is played by these seven gifted musicians.

This event is a gift to the community from Classical 89, the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and the organists. Each year, the program alternates between the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the Cathedral of the Madeleine to showcase both famous organs.

The 2023 Classical 89 Organ Fest concert features music by Bach, Cherwien, Dupré, Fauré, Kasen, Messiaen, Reger, Stanford, Vierne, and Widor performed in the Cathedral’s glorious acoustics on the magnificent four-manual, 4,066-pipe organ installed in 1992 by Kenneth Jones of Bray, Ireland.

Principal Tabernacle organist Richard Elliott said: “Organ Fest started out in 2008 as a community event celebrating the pipe organ and its music through a joint performance by all five members of the Tabernacle organ staff as well as the organist at the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Last year, we expanded the program to include a second organist from the Cathedral, James Goldrick, as well as Luke Howard, the announcer for the weekly Piping Up! broadcasts from Temple Square. (Coincidentally, both James and Luke have come to Utah by way of Australia!) This event, which consistently draws a very large crowd, always has a celebratory feel as it brings together six or seven outstanding organists, our gifted announcer, and fans of the pipe organ and its music from all over the intermountain area.”

Elliott concluded by saying: “We are grateful for the partnership of Classical 89, the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. This partnership has been in place since the very first festival held in 2008 and brings joy and uplift to the community through inspiring music.”

Information about “Organ Fest XIV” is available at www.classical89.org/events.