The Rev’d Christopher Waterhouse, Rector of St James’, interviews James O’Donnell, our opening recitalist for the St James’ International Organ Festival.

James had spent 23 years as Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, where he was responsible for the music at all services, including many significant national and state occasions, among which the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the state funerals of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and, most recently, that of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, stand out.

James is one of the leading organists and choral conductors of his generation. He is currently Professor in the Practice of Organ and Sacred Music at Yale. Alongside his teaching and academic work at the university he is in demand throughout America and internationally as organ recitalist, conductor, and speaker.