London's Royal Albert Hall—home of one of the greatest organs in the world and, the second largest in the UK—has just appointed Anna Lapwood its first ever Official Organist. In her new role, the musical phenomenon will, according to Royal Albert Hall's website, continue to use the Hall’s famous Grand Organ "to increase national access to organ and choral music. As well as headlining auditorium concerts and making guest appearances with artists across multiple genres, She will work with the Hall to increase accessibility to the instrument by holding open sessions, and appointing and supporting the Hall’s first ever Organ Scholar."
Tuesday afternoon on Blue Lake Public Radio, Foley Schuler will spotlight this remarkable young artist—who has gone from being a Tik Tok sensation dubbed the "Taylor Swift of classical music," to becoming one of the world's most famous organists, credited with popularizing the classical organ, giving lessons to Tom Cruise and Benedict Cumberbatch, and performing alongside pop artists like Florence and the Machine, among many others.
It will, in fact, be a big afternoon for the "King of Instruments," as we mark the anniversary of the premiere of Camille Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3—the Organ Symphony—which premiered on May 19, 1886. In honor of the occasion we will enjoy a classic performance of this great work, featuring Paul Paray leading the Detroit Symphony with Marcel Dupre on the organ.
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selection—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 5 on Blue Lake Public Radio.
