An Evening of Musical Brilliance: Jeremy Filsell at Buckfast Abbey

Prepare for an unforgettable musical experience at Buckfast Abbey this summer. On Saturday, 22nd June at 7:30 pm, the Abbey will launch its 2024 series of evening organ recitals with an extraordinary performance by the internationally acclaimed organist, Jeremy Filsell. Known globally as the Organist and Director of Music at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue in New York, Filsell’s recital promises to be a spectacular highlight of the season.

Filsell's distinguished career spans continents, captivating audiences in Russia, Scandinavia, New Zealand, Australia, and throughout the USA and UK. As a virtuoso, his dual talents as a pianist and organist have earned him widespread acclaim. Filsell’s deep connection to the works of Marcel Dupré, bolstered by a PhD exploring the aesthetic intricacies of Dupré’s compositions, underscores his performance. Audiences can anticipate a mesmerising rendition of Dupré’s Three Preludes and Fugues, alongside selections from Kenneth Leighton’s Missa de Gloria and Calvin Hampton’s innovative Concerto for Solo Organ.

Buckfast Abbey, a gem of the South West, is renowned for its cultural and musical significance. Since the installation of a magnificent new organ by Italian artisan Fratelli Ruffatti in 2018, the Abbey has been a beacon for music lovers, hosting an annual series of distinguished organ recitals. The serene and majestic setting of Buckfast Abbey provides the perfect backdrop for Filsell’s performance, promising an evening of musical enchantment.

Tickets for this exceptional concert are priced at £10 and can be secured in advance through the Abbey’s website (www.buckfast.org.uk/events) or from the Abbey Bookshop. Given the unreserved seating policy, early booking is strongly recommended to ensure the best seats. The Abbey’s doors will open at 7:00 pm, immediately following Monastic Vespers, allowing ample time for guests to settle in before the recital begins.

Enhance your evening with a pre-concert meal at Northgate House restaurant or San Benedetto’s pizzeria, both located within the Abbey grounds. For those who wish to relax with a drink, the Northgate bar offers a variety of refreshments. More details can be found in the Abbey’s brochure, pages 25–27.

Conveniently situated between Exeter and Plymouth, just off the A38, Buckfast Abbey is easily accessible and offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle. The Abbey, home to a community of Benedictine monks, welcomes visitors daily, providing a unique atmosphere of tranquillity and reflection. For more information on the Abbey’s music events, visit www.buckfast.org.uk/music.

Join us for an evening where history, spirituality, and music converge, and let Jeremy Filsell’s extraordinary talent transport you to new realms of musical splendour.