World-renowned guitarist sets a new tone

Craig Ogden will be giving the first concert in the Cathedral’s South Transept series, the series that replaces the annual organ recital series whilst Father Willis undergoes repair.

As one of the UK’s most recorded artists, Craig has frequently topped the Classical Music charts. His seemingly effortless but brilliant, laid-back style belies a rigour and focus that makes him one of the country’s foremost musicians - and his repertoire is broad, encompassing classic and contemporary works.

In next Wednesday’s concert Craig will be playing a diverse programme including work by Augustin Barrios, Bach, Scarlatti, Napoléon Coste’s 'Le Depart', 'Asturias' by Isaac Albéniz, and Francisco Tarrega’s evocative 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra' (Memories of the Alhambra) with its rippling tremelo evoking the waters of the fountains inside the Alhambra Palace.

Blending challenge with familiar and much-loved tunes is Craig’s hallmark, and his recital will be informal and relaxed, with Craig talking to the audience as he plays. A visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Music in London and Head of Guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music, Craig is no stranger to major music venues both here and abroad, but alongside the grandeur of the Albert Hall and Wigmore Hall he has played in shopping malls, village halls, and even in a huge Australian mine. He relishes the idea of performing in the Cathedral because of its superb acoustics.

Craig Oliver said:
"Performing somewhere like Salisbury Cathedral is always such a thrill because it is such an evocative and historic space, and also it is such a beautiful acoustic. So when you pluck the guitar the sound... it rolls away and you love to feel that it is reaching everybody in the audience with the same immediacy that it has for me when I have plucked the note. So, it is a combination of the sound and just the beauty of the environment, particularly if you are playing Bach in a space like this."

Craig’s recital heralds a new, more informal tone for the entire series, with the performers both playing and discussing their work. This recital is followed by a drinks reception at the West End of the Cathedral, with an opportunity to meet him in person.

Doors open at 7pm for 7.30. Tickets are £12.50, all unreserved. Wheelchair tickets include one free companion. Booking online via the Cathedral website, or on the door on the night.

Other recitals in the South Transept Recitals include:

Wednesday 1 May
Ghostly Stuff: Elgar’s chamber works
A lecture recital featuring performances of the Piano Quintet and Violin Sonata, given by Dr Steven Halls (speaker), Daphne Moody (violin), Jenny Knights (violin), George White (viola), Bryony Moody (cello), David Halls (piano). Dr. Halls’ last lecture recital in Salisbury, part of the Southern Cathedrals Festival, was a sell-out success.

Wednesday 12 June
My Ladye Nevells Book
Alexander Palotai (chamber organ) performs music from the keyboard collection by William Byrd.

Wednesday 3 July
From Bach to the Beatles
Decadent Brass.

Wednesday 7 August
Songs of the Forest
Margaret Ravalde (soprano), John Challenger (piano).

Wednesday 4 September
The Faces of Night in Chopin
Professor John Rink (piano).

Friday 4 October
Lifting the Lid
David Owen Norris (piano) plays his signature repertoire and reveals some of the more extraordinary experiences of his life in music. This recital will be followed by an auction of promises, led by Paul Jackson, in aid of the Organ Fund.

Each performance starts at 7.30pm.