“a symbiosis between artist and instrument”
biography
Andrew Forbes is an innovative Scottish organist whose playing creates ‘a symbiosis between artist and instrument’ [The Montrealer]. His programmes celebrate well-loved masterpieces whilst exploring imaginative new possibilities—particularly through his collaborations with living composers, among them Nico Muhly and Roxanna Panufnik. Andrew co-commissioned her Cum Jubilo Organ Mass – the first and only British organ mass of this century – and brought it to its world premiere. He is First Prize winner of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition, and a finalist at St Albans.
He was appointed Director of Music at Glasgow Cathedral aged 21, leading the music programme of Scotland’s most complete surviving medieval cathedral. Andrew is founding Artistic Director of Glasgow Cathedral Festival, described by VoxCarnyx as ‘genius programming’ and ‘a minor miracle’. He is Assistant Course Director of St Andrews Organ Week, and works widely as a collaborative pianist, teacher and recording producer.
An organist ‘equipped with the physical and mental wizardry to transform this mechanical monster into the most sublime of musical conduits’ [The Scotsman], Andrew performs across Europe. giving solo recitals at venues including York Minster, Westminster Abbey and the Philharmonie de Paris. He has appeared in festivals such as the Internationale Hill-Orgel-Tage (Berlin), Šv Matu International Organ Festival (Anykščiai) and Festival de Saint-Denis.
Andrew chairs the Music Committee of Scotland’s Churches Trust, and is a trustee of the Scottish Federation of Organists. Together with Chris Bragg, Matthew Hynes and Steven McIntyre, he runs Sowne of Organe: a volunteer-led initiative surveying and advocating for Scotland’s historic organs. Since 2021, it has run events on over 20 instruments nationwide, and rescued the Scottish-built c.1860 D. & T. Hamilton organ of Colliston following the church’s closure.
Originally from Perth, Andrew began organ lessons with Eoin Bennet thanks to Perth Presbytery Organist Training Scheme, continuing with Chris Bragg and then studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow University with Jan Waterfield and John Butt. He learned most recently with Dame Gillian Weir, supported by awards from the Hope Scott Trust and McGlashan Charitable Trust. His interests outside music include built heritage, good food and drink, and time with friends—preferably near water or up a hill.
