Life

Festival pipes up

The Ulster Hall's iconic Mulholland Grand Organ will be centre-stage during this year's Pipeworks Festival, which visits Northern Ireland for the first time at the end of the month.

The Mulholland Organ is recognised as one of the finest examples of classical organ building and has been the heart beat of the Ulster Hall for more than 150 years.

Celebrated American virtuoso Todd Wilson, pictured, presents a varied and exciting programme on Thursday June 26 (7.45pm) exploring the organ's full range, with works by Bach, Widor, Dupre and Ives, alongside contemporary American composers Mark Winges, Aaron Travers and David Conte. The Pipeworks International Organ Competition Finals (Friday June 27 at 7.45pm) sees the Ulster Orchestra, conducted by Paul Brough, join forces with the competition finalists to perform works by Haydn, Rheinberger, Guilmant, Poulenc and Leighton. The festival also features a concert at St Peter's Cathedral, Belfast - The Hilliard Ensemble with Colm Carey (Wednesday June 25, 7.30pm, for tickets call 028 9024 6609).

Ahead of the festival, there will also be an Ulster Society of Organists and Choirmasters Members organ recital on Saturday June 21 at 3pm.

* The Pipeworks Festival concerts run from June 25 to 27. For tickets and information call 028 9033 4455 or visit Waterfront.co.uk.

Brian Campbell