St Albans International Organ Festival had something for everybody

25 Aug 2025

Posted at 10:01 in Events, St Albans

The International Organ Festival returned to St Albans in July to celebrate the organ and so much more, with exhilarating music and inspirational performers.

From epic choral and symphonic music to solo recitals, the event offered something for everybody. Highlights included the return of the ever-popular Three Choirs Concert, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with a top-quality roster of performers and soloists, London Handel Players, young star pianist Alim Beisembayev, celebrated jazz singer Jacqui Dankworth, one of the world’s very greatest sopranos in Lucy Crowe, and celebrity classicist Dame Mary Beard.

The Organ Competitions headlined everything, as always. Organists from around the world performed to a distinguished jury, all of whom also gave concerts and recitals. First Prize and Gold Medal for Interpretation was awarded to Alexis Grizard, who was born in Germany and studied at France, including at the Paris Conservatoire. Second Prize Interpretation was awarded to Grant Smith, who is based in Houston.

The 34th Festival and Competitions will return in July 2027. Before then, the Festival presents free Saturday concerts throughout the year: on Saturday September 20 at 6.30pm the outstanding young talent that is James Orford, organist of St Paul’s Cathedral, will perform in St Albans Cathedral.

All photos by Stephen Boffey

Three Choirs - St Albans, Temple Church and New College Oxford — Three Choirs – St Albans, Temple Church and New College Oxford

Sunday worship from St Peter's live on BBC Radio 4. — Sunday worship from St Peter’s live on BBC Radio 4.

Rachmaninoff Vespers at St Michael's - Choir of Kings College London — Rachmaninoff Vespers at St Michael’s – Choir of Kings College London

Lucy Crowe (soprano) and Anna Tilbrook (piano)

Dame Mary Beard presents 'Monstrous Regiment' — Dame Mary Beard presents ‘Monstrous Regiment’

James Laing (countertenor) and London Handel Players

First Prize and Gold Medal for Interpretation was awarded to Alexis Grizard. Presentation photo with the Countess of Verulam

rant Smith from Texas was awarded with the Interpretation Second Prize by David Wakefield.

The Audience Prize was sponsored by Andrei Lussmann and presented by James Storey, Operations Manager at Lussmanns. It was awarded to Aleksanteri Wallius.

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