Musical Milestone For Former Ealing GP

Hugh Mather has organised 1,000 local concerts at local churches

A former Ealing GP has clocked up a musical milestone and organised his 1,000th local concert.

Dr Hugh Mather previously worked as Consultant Physician at Ealing Hospital and is an accomplished pianist. He has been arranging classical performances at St Mary’s Perivale and St Barnabas, Pitshanger Lane for many years. 

He launched the St Mary’s/St Barnabas concerts in 2004, with three aims: to provide performance venues for the most talented musicians in the country, particularly those at the start of their careers; to give the borough’s music-lovers the chance to hear world-class music without having to travel into central London; and to bring in money for the two churches.

The St Barnabas concerts have raised thousands of pounds to pay for the organ which was installed in 2011.

St Mary’s, a small, 12th-century Grade 1-listed church, was saved for the community in the 1970s, when it became redundant. Stunningly beautiful, with a wonderful ambience and acoustic, it is much-loved by both musicians and audiences. Many performances are recorded and made available online (www.youtube.com/user/StMarysPerivale). 

The 1,000th concert, held at St Mary’s, featured flautist Alena Lugovkina, pianist Pavel Timofejevsky and violinist Niklas Walentin.

The evening finished with well wishers offering thanks to Dr Mather and raising a toast for his next 1,000 concerts.

Further details can be found at www.st-marys-perivale.org.uk and www.barnabites.org

26th January 2015