![\"Christopher](\"https:\/\/static.wixstatic.com\/media\/550168_df7a2527bc094f0f8ffa84211ee88b24~mv2.png\/v1\/fill\/w_86,h_50,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto\/550168_df7a2527bc094f0f8ffa84211ee88b24~mv2.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\nChristopher Rathbone, Director of Music at St Margaret’s Ilkley<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Christopher Rathbone, Director of Music at St Margaret\u2019s in Ilkley, will perform his 150th organ recital as part of the Ilkley Arts Festival.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The landmark occasion will take place on Friday 7 November at 12.30 pm, This extraordinary achievement marks Christopher\u2019s dedication, artistry, and service to the musical life of the church and wider community.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The celebratory programme will feature works by Kenneth Leighton, Johann Sebastian Bach, and two of Christopher\u2019s own compositions: a Passacaglia and Fugue from 2017 and his much-loved Fantasia on \u2018Dancing Queen\u2019 (with apologies to ABBA). Bach is represented by his glorious Prelude and Fugue in E flat, featuring the famous St Anne fugue, and the Leighton Paean completes the programme. The recital promises to be both reflective and exuberant, and the occasion is above all a tribute to Christopher\u2019s significant contribution to the spiritual and musical life at St Margaret\u2019s.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Looking ahead, the next recital on Friday 13 December, also at St Margaret\u2019s, will feature a masterpiece by Olivier Messiaen, La Nativit\u00e9 du Seigneur, including the famous Toccata \u2018Dieu parmi nous\u2019\u2014stunning music from 1935 inspired by the Christmas story.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Reflecting on the milestone, Christopher Rathbone said: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a joy and a privilege to share music with all those who attend our monthly organ recitals. The organ is a magnificent instrument, and I\u2019m grateful to have the opportunity to enjoy its vast repertoire and welcome audiences into this beautiful church.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fr Alex Crawford, Vicar of St Margaret\u2019s, added:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cChristopher has been a dedicated servant of the music and liturgy here at St Margaret\u2019s over the years and we have been greatly blessed by his ministry.\u00a0 This is a tremendous milestone, and I hope many will want to come and join us as we celebrate.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n All are warmly invited to attend this special lunchtime recital and join in celebrating a remarkable musical milestone. Admission is free with a retiring collection for St Margaret\u2019s Organ Restoration Fund, and seating is unreserved.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n