For Victoria and Albert's 200th | Ben Bloor (organ)

Given on Mendelssohn's anniversary, this recital prefaces a special evening as part of the Victoria and Albert's 200th celebrations. It features young organist Ben Bloor (London Oratory and Westminster School) in the London Bach Society's Emerging Artists' programme.

Both Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort were deeply interested in and moved by Music and the Arts; they played the piano together, brought up their children to sing chorales and motets together and hosted visits by their musical friends like the German Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn, who gave recitals in their honour. The Prince Consort was an organist and a composer whose Lutheran upbringing is reflected in the two volumes of his own compositions held in the Royal Collection.

Prince Albert supported the significant 19th century British Bach revival and Ben has chosen to play four moving and inspirational examples from Bach's precious treasury organ works, complemented by a substantial Organ Sonata from Mendelssohn's set of six.

The organ in St George's Church Hanover Square is by Richards, Fowkes.