Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 18, 2026

Durham Concerto

The Durham Concerto is a classical work composed by Jon Lord. It was commissioned by Durham University and was first performed in Durham Cathedral on 20 October 2007, as part of the university's 175th anniversary celebrations.

Last revised
Jul 18, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
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232 w
Citations
2
Source
Promotional material for the world première, Saturday 20 October 2007 at 7:30 pm, Durham Cathedral source ↗

The Durham Concerto is a classical work composed by Jon Lord. It was commissioned by Durham University and was first performed in Durham Cathedral on 20 October 2007, as part of the university's 175th anniversary celebrations.1

Instead of the usual solo instrument typical of a classical concerto, the Durham Concerto gives solo opportunities to several different instruments: cello, violin, Northumbrian pipes and Hammond organ. At the premiere of the work, Lord himself played the Hammond organ part, and Kathryn Tickell the pipes.

Movements

  • Part I. Morning
    • The Cathedral at Dawn – solo violin, solo cello, Hammond organ
    • Durham Awakes – solo violin, solo cello, Hammond organ, Northumbrian pipes
  • Part II. Afternoon
  • Part III. Evening
    • Rags & Galas – solo violin, solo cello, Hammond organ
    • Durham Nocturne – solo violin, solo cello, Hammond organ, Northumbrian pipes2

A typical performance lasts just under an hour.

Recordings

References

References

  1. "The Story Behind Jon Lord's Durham Concerto". Classic FM. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  2. "Jon Lord website". 8 May 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2022.