This is the final concert of the year performed on the 're-voiced' Makin church organ by the distinguished virtuosos organist Ian Tracey.
Ian Tracey has a life-long association with Liverpool Cathedral and its music. Together with his two illustrious predecessors, Henry Goss-Custard and Noel Rawsthorne, he continues the tradition of an almost Apostolic Succession. He initally studied organ with Lewis Rust and then with Noel Rawsthorne. Studies at Trinity College, London, culminated in Fellowship, after which scholarship grants enabled him to study with Andre Isoir and Jean Langlais in Paris, and conducting with Vernon (Tod) Handley.
When Ian was appointed Organist of Liverpool Cathedral in 1980, he was the youngest cathedral organist in Britain. After 27 years of service, the Cathedral's Dean and Chapter created the post of 'Organist Titulaire', which allows him freedom to devote more time to playing, lecturing, recording, and writing. Ian has played at most of the major venues in this country and at an increasing number in Europe. He is very much in demand in the USA - where he has made 23 extensive tours, playing in all of the major cities. Recent seasons have included concerts in New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Bermuda, Paris, Holland, Germany, Jersey and Spain.
On the wider musical canvas, Ian is a frequent broadcaster with the BBC. His recordings - for EMI, Chandos, and Priory - on the Liverpool Cathedral Organ have met with wide acclaim from the critics. He regularly examines and adjudicates and, over the past 33 years, has conducted some 250 concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus.
Ian holds Fellowships from twenty prestigious musical institutions, both here and abroad, including the Royal College of Organists, as one of only 28 Honorary Fellows worldwide. In 2006, the University of Liverpool conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Music, recognising his long and distinguished service to music in Liverpool and his national and international reputation. In 2008, the Royal School of Church Music and, in 2009, the Guild of Church Musicians, awarded him Fellowships for services to church music.
Ian's other posts include: Organist to the City of Liverpool; Organist at St George's Hall; Chorus Master to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society; Guest Director of Music for the BBC's Daily Service; Professor, Fellow, and Organist at Liverpool John Moores University; Tonal Director for Makin Organs & Copeman Hart Ltd