A Song of Thanksgiving

Celebrating 140 Years of Music, Thanksgiving, and Hope

Wednesday, November 25 2026 at 20:00 p.m.

This Thanksgiving Concert marks two significant moments in the life of the American Cathedral in Paris. The year 2026 is the 140th anniversary of the consecration of the present Cathedral building, which was consecrated on Thanksgiving Day in 1886. The concert also celebrates the completion of Phase One of the reconstruction of the Cathedral's historic organ.

These anniversaries give particular resonance to a programme centred on thanksgiving, peace, memory, faith, and hope. Thanksgiving is often understood as a celebration of blessings received. Yet gratitude has its deepest meaning when it persists in the face of uncertainty, suffering, and the passage of time. The works in this programme explore thanksgiving not as a fleeting expression of happiness, but as a profound act of hope. The evening moves from public celebration and peace, through memory and inheritance, to a confrontation with conflict and uncertainty; from there it turns towards stillness, trust, consolation, and the promise of renewal. In this way, the programme reflects both the spirit of Thanksgiving and the approach of Advent: gratitude for what has been given, faith amid what cannot be understood, and hope for what is yet to come. 

Program:

Edwin H. Lemare (1865–1934),Thanksgiving March (For Peace Celebrations and Festival Use)

Marcel Dupré (1886–1971), Suite bretonne, Op. 21

Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924), For Lo, I Raise Up for choir and organ

Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877–1933), Symphonischer Choral “Nun ruhen alle Wälder”, Op. 87 No. 3 for soprano, violin, and organ

Max Reger (1873–1916), Der Einsiedler, Op. 144a for baritone solo, choir, organ, and piano. Orchestral accompaniment arranged for organ and piano by Andrew Dewar

Conductor, George Throup
Organist, Andrew Dewar
Piano, William Fielding