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pipe up!
Saturday 26th April, pipe-up! was officially launched at St. Mary's Church Dorchester. Five young organist attended the induction session with tutors Robert Fielding and Dr. Richard Godfrey. John Lock, Organist and Church Warden at St. Mary's talked to the group about the organ in St. Mary's and said: ‘We welcome you to the church and hope that you will find the tuition and practice facility of help to you in the future. Our hope is that you will enjoy making music on a fine instrument and gain the enthusiasm to study it in greater depth. The Church has decided to make our facilities for organ practice and tuition available without charge in order to encourage young people to learn to play the organ and to support the Diocesan initiative which Robert Fielding has started.'
All five participants brought music to play on the fine three-manual Peter Collins organ in the church. They all played really well and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of hearing all the different sounds this instrument can make. Robert Fielding, the project director said: 'We were thrilled to see five young musicians making themselves immediately at home on the instrument and getting the same buzz that inspires us all to play this wonderful instrument'.
The pupils come from Weymouth College, Manor Park First School, Lytchett Minster School, Blandford School and Thomas Hardye School and range between the ages of and 9 and 18. They will now attend workshops on Saturday mornings at St. Mary's during school term time and will be taught by Robert Fielding, Richard Godfrey and David Bruce- Payne. It is planned to establish other workshops throughout the Diocese.
For further details about the scheme, contact the Diocesan Music Adviser:
Robert Fielding
fieldings4@btopenworld.com
01722 741154
0787 944 3060
www.churchmusictraining.com
pipe down vb (intr.,adv.) Sl. to stop talking,
making a noise, etc
RECORD SALES FOR BUXTON FESTIVAL DURING PRIORITY BOOKING
Ticket sales for Buxton Festival 2008 look set to smash last year's record thanks to a 20 per cent rise during the priority booking period.
Between March 7 and April 3 £38,0318.10 was spent by the Friends and Patrons of Buxton Festival on tickets for this 30th anniversary year.
The Festival's chief executive Glyn Foley said: 'We've been thrilled to see how many tickets have been sold so far - they are well above the record sales of 2007. 'We have extended the Festival by two days to keep up with demand, so it looks like we're in for a bumper year.'
Booking will open to all, by telephone and internet, on Friday April 18.
Andrew Bingham, Executive Councillor for Social and Community Development for High Peak Borough Council said: 'It is great news and a tremendous achievement that the Festival has increased their sales by this amount.
'The Buxton Festival is now well known across the country and its success brings benefits to the economy for the whole of the High Peak as visitors flock to the area when this popular event takes place.
'As attendances continue to rise, so do the benefits, and as a Council we aim to support the Festival in any way we can.
'My congratulations go out to the Festival for this year's programme and these fantastic sales figures.'
Last year the Festival contributed in excess of three million pounds to the local economy - with an extra two days in 2008 this figure promises to rise.
The Festival now has 34 corporate partners including Manchester Airport Group; University of Derby, Buxton; The Old Hall Hotel; Royal Bank of Scotland; Longcliffe; Tarmac and Buxton Water.
It also has long-standing relationships with much smaller local businesses including Buxton Violin Shop; Columbine; Simply Thai; Project X and Number 6.
Buxton has built its reputation to become the UK's foremost festival for rarely performed opera. It now draws audiences from all over the country and overseas for works they cannot see elsewhere.
In 2007 the Festival won the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Opera after staging a highly-acclaimed production of Donizetti's Roberto Devereux.
Competitors included Opera North's hotly-tipped Peter Grimes and the Classical Opera Company's Marriage of Figaro.
To mark its 30th anniversary the Festival is producing three of its own opera for the first time. And not a moment too soon - two nights of opera sold out before telephone and internet booking opened.
The morning literary series introduced by Roy Hattersley during his chairmanship has added another popular string to the Festival's bow. This year 19 of the greatest minds in politics, journalism and literature will present their work to festival audiences - Menzies Campbell, Joanne Harris, Lynne Truss, Douglas Hurd and General Sir Mike Jackson, to name but a few.
The Festival's eclectic range of concerts and recitals has also been expanded for 2008, with a new world music series to be enjoyed in an informal atmosphere later in the evening. Sitar players from India, drummers from Japan and a lively Cuban band complete with dancers feature in this exciting new line-up.
Box Office: 0845 1272190
Online sales: www.buxtonfestival.co.uk
HIS LORDSHIP'S DELIGHT
Gerald Gifford (Honorary Keeper of Music)
A series of four introduced recitals celebrating some of the Museum's remarkable treasures of 18th century keyboard music, including harpsichord, spinet and organ works composed by Lord Fitzwilliam himself, rare keyboard music by Handel and his English contemporaries, and selected orchestral works in 18th-century arrangements for solo keyboard. The programmes will be presented in Gallery 3 and feature an historic harpsichord by Shudi and Broadwood built in London in about 1775, together with other instruments also supplied from Dr Gifford's personal collection.
25 January 2008
Handel and Handeliana: neglected keyboard works from manuscript sources in the Founder's collection [Harpsichord]
8 February 2008
Lord Fitzwilliam and the Organ: the Founder's own compositions for the instrument, and other manuscript and printed organ music from his Library [Chamber organ]
2 May 2008
Keyboard transcriptions of orchestral music in the Fitzwilliam Collection: a special enthusiasm of the Founder? [Harpsichord]
23 May 2008
Treasures of Georgian harpsichord music from the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection [Harpsichord and Spinet]
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Gallery 3, 13.15-14.00, Admission free
Sponsored by the TTP Group and a donation in memory of Kate & Joseph Wood
Roger Wright, Controller BBC Radio 3, said: 'We are pleased to be able to include two broadcasts of Choral Evensong from September. Scheduling it on Sundays has brought new listeners to the live broadcasts, though others have missed it on Wednesday afternoons. Airing it live on Wednesday and repeating it on Sunday will offer audiences a choice for this ever-popular part of the Radio 3 schedule.'
During its long broadcast history, Choral Evensong has been heard on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. At first the service lasted only 30 minutes; it has also been broadcast at 45 and 50 minutes. For a short while, in 1970, the service was broadcast monthly not weekly. The broadcast was originally transmitted on the National Programme, and then after the war successively on the Home Service, Radio 4 and Radio 3, returning to Radio 4 for some years in the late 1970s. Nowadays the popular Listen Again facility on the Radio 3 website means that the weekly broadcast can be heard at any time for seven days after transmission.
This Sunday's broadcast comes from St Paul's Cathedral, and forthcoming highlights include a live Ash Wednesday service from St Albans Cathedral, Palm Sunday from St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle; Easter Sunday from Winchester Cathedral and from St Paul's Outside the Walls, Rome, on 6 April.
Pianists are invited to join us for an introduction to the pipe organ, using the two very different instruments in St Margaret's Church (one with tracker action and the other having a detached console with electric action). The day will include 'hands on' opportunities for all, and some individual tuition for a restricted number of players; other attendees may observe when not playing. There will also be an opportunity to see inside the chamber of the main organ.
The charge is £12 per person.
Cheques should be made payable to RSCM Oxford and sent to Richard Goodall, 41 Glebelands, Headington, Oxford OX3 7EN (tel: 01865 763045) along with the form below, duly completed. Early applications are welcome.
St Margaret's Church is at the corner of St Margaret's Road (the same road as St Hugh's College) and Kingston Road, in north Oxford, about a mile north of St Giles and Jericho, and a mile south of Summertown. There will be a break from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm when tea, coffee, and squash will be provided, but please bring your own packed lunch. Alternatively, both Jericho and Summertown offer a variety of places in which to eat.
There is a small amount of car-parking available on the church forecourt, and some places with time restrictions in St Margaret's Road itself and the surrounding roads. Woodstock Road, which bisects St Margaret's Road, is served by the Pear Tree Park-and-Ride, and Banbury Road at the east end of St Margaret's Road is served by the Water Eaton Park-and-Ride.
Details of the Park and Ride scheme are on the City Council website
Dr Carol William has just achieved a proclamation from Jerry Sanders, the Mayor of San Diego, for a San Diego Civic Organists' Day. 'I wanted to thank the previous Civic Organists of this City who have provided concerts on this great Spreckels Organ -- it is a fantastic venue and I am delighted that the City has honored us with this tremendous deed.'
Dr Williams has been the Civic Organist since 2001 and performs numerous concerts here in the USA and abroad. Future concerts include the Great Concert Hall in Moscow; the Organ Festivals in Monaco and Luxembourg and Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Friday 19 February at 1.10pm
Reid Hall, University of Edinburgh
Music by Sweelinck, Schildt and Bach
A new service book for Passiontide has just been published by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). THE WAY OF THE CROSS takes the form of a sequence of words and music, and follows in the steps of Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to Pilate's house, and on through the city to Calvary. The service book is the result of collaboration between the composer and conductor David Ogden, and Peter Moger, the Church of England's National Worship Development Officer. 'For many years churches have been well-served by the RSCM service book The Cross of Christ - a Passiontide devotion for choir and congregation. The Way of the Cross is, in a sense, its natural successor, designed to help churches enter more fully into the mystery of the Cross by reflecting in word, music and silence,' said Peter Moger.
The impetus behind The Way of the Cross came from the publication in 2006 of Common Worship: Times and Seasons from which several 'stations' for prayer and reflection are taken, with the Passion narrative mostly based on that found in St Mark's Gospel.
There is a wide variety of music including well-loved hymns such as 'O sacred head' and 'My song is love unknown'. 'The Way of the Cross is suitable for choirs of all shapes and sizes and there are plenty of opportunities for soloists and instrumentalists to be involved too if desired,' said David Ogden who chose the music which ranges from the 17th century to the present day. 'Many choirs will enjoy the simple serenity of Phillip Wilby's 'Wondrous Cross' and Ronald Corp's 'Take up your cross' as well as relishing the challenge of singing Lotti's six-part 'Crucifixus', Phillip Moore's 'It is a thing most wonderful' and the mystical 'Song of Christ's glory' by Grayston Ives. Already, The Way of the Cross has been well received. 'When we 'road tested' the service last year in my parish, many of the congregation found the experience deeply moving and much preferred it to previous performances of assorted choral works,' said David Ogden.
HOW TO ORDER The Way of the Cross:
RSCM Order Code: S0124
RSCM Catalogue Number: RS36
ISBN: 978-0-85402-162-8
Price: £5.00 (affiliate price £3.75)
Copies can be ordered from RSCM Music Direct:
Tel: +44 (0) 845 021 7726
Fax: +44 (0) 845 021 8826
Email: musicdirect@rscm.com
Online: www.rscm.com
12 January, Saturday, at 6pm - Organ Concert with the Italian organist based in Amsterdam, Matteo Imbruno, at the Martin Luther Church. Free Admitance.
On 14, 15 and 16 January - MasterClass with Matteo Imbruno.
19 January, Saturday, at 4pm - Organ Concert with the Uruguayan organist Cristina Banegas, at the N. S. Carmo Lapa Church. Free Admittance.
For more details about this event, please visit www.arteorganistica.org.br/news-e.html
Keith Hearnshaw was born in West Bromwich and began learning the Organ at the age of thirteen. He spent four years at the Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied Organ with David Saint and also with Mark Shepherd at Lichfield Cathedral. While studying in Birmingham, Keith held the position of Organ Scholar at St Chad’s R.C. Cathedral. He was later Assistant Organist at St Columba’s Parish Church, Sutton Coldfield and toured Germany with both of these choirs. In 1991 he was a prize winner at the Oundle International Organ Festival and in 1993 was awarded the Leonard Gibbons Memorial Prize by the Birmingham Organists Association. From September 1994-95 he was Organ Scholar at Lincoln Cathedral studying under Colin Walsh. In July 1997 he became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, whilst studying with Andrew Fletcher and Kevin Bowyer. From September 1997-98 Keith was Organ Scholar at Liverpool Cathedral under Professor Ian Tracey, which houses the mighty 146 stop Willis Organ which is the largest Church Organ in Europe!
As a recitalist Keith has performed throughout the Country including:- Liverpool Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Rochdale Town Hall, Victoria Hall - Hanley, Hereford and Westminster Cathedrals and Symphony Hall Birmingham. Keith was in Guernsey in March 2003 and 2006 as both Recitalist and “Ambassador” in a very successful RSCM Children’s day. Keith has also been involved in two “Family Organ Days” at the Victoria Hall, Stoke on Trent. He has made a number of Radio and TV appearances , including BBC Radio 2 "The Organist Entertains". Keith has a number of recordings available on CD. Twice a year Keith is also responsible for producing the recordings for the aural tests, for the Royal College of Organists diploma examinations. In August 2007 for the RCO Keith recorded the sound track for a forthcoming animation DVD to inspire youngsters to take up the Organ, release date early 2008.
Keith has now established himself as a Concert Organist playing an increasing number of solo concerts a year. In August 1999 he undertook a concert tour of Holland and Germany. Keith has twice been a guest Organist playing duets with the Pavarotti of the Organ the Great American Virtuoso Carlo Curley in his Christmas Concerts. In the summer of 2004, Keith Played three friendly “Battle of the Organs” concerts with Carlo in the Exmouth Festival, Pershore Abbey and at the Lavenham Festival and again in the fall of 2005. In July 2004 he played one of the IAO National Congress Recitals on the Isle of Wight at All Saint’s PC in Ryde.
For more information please visit his website is at: www.keithhearnshaw.co.uk
Admission £5 (under 18 free)
Refreshments will be served during the interval.
Venues include: Southbank Centre, Royal Academy of Music, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, London Oratory, St Paul's Cathedral, St Marylebone Parish Church
To mark the centenary of Messiaen's birth, From the Canyons to the Stars is a major Southbank Centre celebration (2 February - 10 December) of this truly inspirational composer (1908 – 1992). The festival is unequalled in its scope and ambition anywhere in the world. Lovingly and scrupulously curated by virtuoso pianist and close Messiaen associate Pierre-Laurent Aimard, From the Canyons to the Stars is an 11-month festival with a line-up of world-class artists, many of whom had a close association with Messiaen, either as pupils or as trusted collaborators. The festival's finale sees Messiaen pupil Pierre Boulez return to the Royal Festival Hall to conduct Ensemble Intercontemporain and Aimard on 10 December, the anniversary of the composer's birth. The festival explores themes closely associated with the composer's music and life: religion, nature and birdsong, colour, sounds from around the world, and impossible love. These themes are explored through concerts, discussions, study days, workshops and masterclasses. From the Canyons to the Stars is presented in partnership with Southbank Centre Residents the Philharmonia Orchestra and the London Sinfonietta, and with the Royal Academy of Music (RAM).
Highlights of the festival include:
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Festival Artistic Director, said:
'London has always been at the forefront in celebrating the music of Olivier Messiaen. Messiaen, measurer of time and craftsman in sound and colour, has influenced generations of composers. His spirituality, his love of nature, and the sheer boldness of his music communicate directly with audiences. This gentle dreamer with a collector's soul worked independently of contemporary trends – unclassifiable because, piece by piece, he constructed a truly unique language. It is my great wish that this festival, in homage to Messiaen, will illuminate the many aspects of this great original.'
The changes are designed to widen the appeal of the examination to both experienced amateur organists and developing students looking for a first rung on the public examination ladder.
The new syllabus, which will be examined from summer 2008, more closely reflects the fact that the vast majority of organists either make a living, or supplement their income, by playing for services in churches on a regular basis.
As a result, the CertRCO examination will emphasise the importance of good hymn playing, encourage efficient aural awareness and promote an in-depth knowledge of repertoire through the study of set works, some of which are appropriate for liturgical use.
The stylistic exercises - simple Bach chorale and Baroque two-part counterpoint - remain an important part of the Certificate's written paper, and offer grounding for more advanced work in this field in the College's higher diplomas.
The regulations and repertoire of the organ playing component of the practical examination remain unaltered. The College has also announced two introductory events to help students get to grips with the new syllabus. Sarah MacDonald FRCO, who sits on the RCO's Academic Board, explained: 'The CertRCO has been in existence for nearly five years now, and although the take-up has been consistent, numbers have been slightly below expectations.
'The 2008 revisions attempt to refocus the CertRCO's form and purpose in order to help it flourish in the same way that similar qualifications do for our sister organisations, The Royal Canadian College of Organists and the American Guild of Organists.
'With this in mind, we have looked closely at the examination requirements set by the RCCO and the AGO, and taken on board the more practical elements which we believe will greatly increase the attraction of CertRCO.
'The new syllabus amply demonstrates the expectations of the RCO as an examining body; exemplifies the high standards that continue to be required; and nurtures the technique and musicianship to which we all aspire.'
The RCO's Chief Examiner, Patrick Russill, added: 'It is the College's intention that CertRCO should offer accreditation to the extensive bedrock of the British organ-playing tradition. It is an ideal goal for those who have been playing for years and who would like to push themselves to achieve a recognised RCO qualification. And for the developing student, although it is not a pre-requisite for the ARCO, candidates would be well advised to begin their preparation for the Associateship by achieving the CertRCO.'
Organists interested in exploring the CertRCO can attend one of two special RCO events this spring.
The first afternoon event, entitled All you need to know about the revised CertRCO, takes place on 26th January 2008 at St George's Church, Hanover Square in London, and will offer comprehensive guidance on the requirements of the new syllabus.
The second, a study day on 21st June 2008, will take place at St Barnabas Church, Dulwich, London. This will offer practical help to students (and to teachers preparing students) on all components of the examination.
Patrick Russill said: 'The new CertRCO is a genuine test for the able organist, not just as a player, but as an informed, rounded musician, demonstrating, as the examination regulations put it: 'reliable and confident musicianship in public performance, and those skills which support practical musicianship.''
'I very much hope that the new revisions will help firmly place the CertRCO in the minds of organists and their teachers as the natural first rung of public qualification.'
For more information about the RCO's Certificate examination and all other aspects of the RCO examination programme, see www.rco.org.uk/examinations.php or contact the College's Director of Academic Development, Andrew McCrea at andrew.mccrea@ rco.org.uk
The concert opened with the choir running through their 'Warm Ups!' routine, showing at once the marvellous rapport Ian Wicks, the choir's director, has established with his choir of over 70 boys and girls from school Years 4 – 8. He expects the best from the children and that is exactly what they delivered. Ian also took the opportunity to explain to the audience the reasons for the different physical and vocal exercises the children perform - and revealing at the same time both the sense of fun and professionalism he instils.
The concert continued with Seek ye first the kingdom of God by Karen Lafferty, sung here as a round with a bright and cheerful sound. Barry Rose's beautifully lyrical Risen Lord came next, sung in two parts. By this stage many in the audience looked quite emotional – was this really their children achieving such high standards? Next came Dona nobis pacem in Latin in two parts, and then Truly the Lord is in this place by Peter Hurford. Ian explained to the audience that one of the joys of the choir was that at the moment they learnt everything by ear and from memory, so if he didn't tell them something was difficult, they didn't think it was – but, take it from him, this Hurford piece 'is tricky'. They not only performed it with real energy but then merged it, again in two parts, with the hymn All people that on earth do dwell; this real achievement was rewarded with huge applause.
Ian then addressed the audience saying that, currently, there was a lot of talk in government and the press about singing in primary schools and quoted the choral supremo Stephen Layton from an article published in The Times the previous day: '...the universities are the finishing schools of the choral process….it's the beginnings that we need to get right. I'd like to see cathedrals throughout the land throwing open their doors every Saturday morning, and running singing courses for hundreds of kids from all sorts of backgrounds – giving them a taste of using their voices in those great places…..' Ian continued, '…so I like to think that we're right at the cutting edge – I think your children are wonderful and are filling this cathedral with their superb sound.
'Future plans for the choir include collaborations with Salisbury Community Choir in Rutter's Mass of the Children and with Sarum Orchestra in a performance of Stari Most by Richard Chew in the cathedral. But above all I look forward to the choir taking part in cathedral services bringing it to the heart of our worship in this great cathedral.'
The concert resumed with Rutter's joyous I will sing with the spirit and concluded with the most famous song from 'Joseph and his amazing technicolour dreamcoat' Any dream will do.
Simon Hogan, the cathedral's Organ Scholar, was accompanist.
David Halls, Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral, said 'Salisbury Cathedral Junior Choir has made a superb start and is clearly going to go from strength to strength.' The choir can next be heard at the Christmas Eve Family Service on 24 December at 4pm.'
Free admission, retiring collection
Information: telephone 024 7652 1200 / 1212
Website: http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk
Joseph Nolan has been appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at St George's Cathedral, Perth, Australia by the Dean and Chapter. It is Australia's principal Cathedral with a fabulous men and boys choir. He will get two months off per year to continue his recitals and CD's.
'There is some wonderful music written for that time of year,' said Peter. 'I think this special concert of invigorating and exciting pieces will help people get into the Christmas spirit as well as blowing some of the dust out of the pipework!'
'After all the work that we had to do for the BBC1 Songs of Praise television recordings, I have not yet had very much time to work out the programme but there will be plenty to suit all tastes and ages. I am sure there will be many tunes that people will be able to recognise.'
Admission to the 45-minute long concert is free, with a retiring collection for Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, and visitors are invited to come and go as time allows. Unique access will also be given to Peter in the organ loft through the large screen video projection at the front of the nave, a feature that has proved to be very popular with concert-goers of all ages.
'Now that the organ console is fully visible to the audience,' Peter added, 'it's become something of a tradition for us to decorate it in a festive manner, which all helps to get the Advent and Christmas season off to a rousing and celebratory start.'
Visitors to the cathedral will also be able to combine their visit with Christmas shopping as there will be a special 20% discount day on the majority of gifts and cards in the cathedral shop during the entire day, including a number of exclusive lines. A warm welcome will also await visitors in the cloister café where, among other delights, can be found some of the first mince pies of Christmas.
The cathedral shop and cloister café will be open between 10 am and 4 pm on Saturday 1 December.
For further enquiries please contact: Glyn Morgan, Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust 01432 374261 or 07771 520287
Keith Hearnshaw
On Saturday, April 26th, 2008, the Organ Section of the Croydon Music Festival will again take place in Croydon Parish Church (through the kindness of the Vicar, The Rev. Colin Boswell, and the Director of Music, Nigel McClintock). We are delighted that the distinguished recitalist and teacher, Margaret Phillips, has agreed to adjudicate this year.
The syllabus offers opportunities for organists at all stages of achievement, from beginners playing manuals-only, through to recital standard, to practice on and play the splendid 4-manual Hill organ, and to receive expert and encouraging evaluation of their performance. In addition, one outstanding player will be offered the opportunity to give a recital at St. Paul's Cathedral, and others may be invited to play in the Festival's own concerts at the Fairfield Hall in Croydon.
Visiting organists in the Advanced and Recital classes are also invited to make the acquaintance of the fine 4-manual Father Willis in the nearby superb Pearson church of St. Michael, by invitation of the Vicar and the organist, Christopher Moore.
The Organ Section attracted 19 players last year, and is part of the Croydon Music Festival, one of the largest and most dynamic Festivals in the country. Over six weeks there will be a feast of classical and popular music, Asian music, brass bands, jazz and pop, speech and drama, and dance, all in a friendly but efficient atmosphere. Although primarily an amateur Festival, the Organ Section is open to organists who receive fees for their playing, provided that professional music does not constitute their main income.
Croydon Parish Church has ample parking, and is not far from East Croydon station - and the new Tramlink! For further information, or a Syllabus - available now - please contact the section Secretary, Geoffrey Shaw - 020 8660 3433. Email: gshawsong@aol.com. The final date for entries is February 8th, 2008. Full details can also be found on our web site: croydonmusicfestival.co.uk
David said: 'It is a great honour to be taking over artistic responsibility for the Festival at such an exciting time. The 2009 Festival will be the 25th and will also celebrate the restoration of the Harrison and Harrison organ in St Albans Cathedral. The organ competitions which are at the very heart of the Festival are recognised world-wide as the most prestigious of their kind and I look forward very much to keeping them so and to developing the profile of the Festival.'
The International Organ Festival was founded in 1963 by Peter Hurford. Its combination of competitions and music festival is unique. Among winners of the Interpretation Competition are the internationally renowned Gillian (now Dame Gillian) Weir (1964) and Thomas Trotter (1979).
David Titterington succeeds Andrew Lucas, Master of the Music at St Albans Cathedral, who directed the Festivals from 2001 to 2007.
The Danish Cultural Institute in Edinburgh celebrates its 50th anniversary on 1 November 2007 with a beautiful recital at St. Giles Cathedral followed by a private view held at the Institute.
Recital
Recital by the Danish Trio consisting of Jens Christian Wandt, tenor; Jesper Juul, trombone soloist in the Danish National Symphony Orchestra; and Jakob Lorentzen, organist and cantor at the Church of Holmen, Copenhagen. When: 1 November 2007, 5pm (Admission Free - no tickets required) Where: St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh
The trio presents a recital featuring works by:
· Felix Alexandre Guilmant
· Niels Wilhelm Gade
· Johan Sebastian Bach
· Edward Elgar
· George Bizet
The Danish Cultural Institute
3 Doune Terrace
Edinburgh EH3 6DY
Scotland, UK
Tel. +44 (0)131 225 7189
Fax. +44 (0)131 220 6162
E. lm@dancult.co.uk
www.dancult.co.uk
10.30am registration and coffee
11am-1pm introductory lecture and recital.
While the most obvious Italian influence on Buxtehude's music is found in his vocal works, he was clearly conversant with the works of Frescobaldi and other Italian composers, as well as with those of German organists such as Hassler, Froberger and Kerll who studied in Italy. Buxtehude knew Weckmann, who, in turn, had known Froberger. The question of tuning and temperament will be touched on; Buxtehude counted Werckmeister among his friends and the current vogue for assuming all N. German organs remained in meantone at this period will be discussed.* Questions of transposition will be raised. (Was Praeludium f# (146) originally written in d?) demonstration recital TO INCLUDE:
EXCERPTS FROM FRESCOBALDI FIORI MUSICALI
BUXTEHUDE: MIT FRIED UND FREUD CONTRAPUNCTUS I AND EVOLUTIO
G: GABRIELI: RECERCAR SETTIMO & OTTAVO TONO
BUXTEHUDE Ciaccona e (160) CANZONA d (168), PRAELUDIUM g (163) TOCCATA G
(165) transposed to F
Own arrangements for lunch.
2.30-5.30pm masterclass (with tea break)
Suggested works: Frescobaldi esp. Fiori musicali, Froberger Toccatas, canzonas.
BUXTEHUDE: esp. manualiter works CANZONA d (168), PRAELUDIUM g (163)
TOCCATA G (165)
Pedaliter: PRAELUDIUM in C (137), PRAELUDIUM d (140) PRAELUDIUM f# (146)
Christopher Stembridge, who contributed the chapter on Italy to the Cambridge Companion to the Organ, was statutory lecturer in music at University College Cork.
He moved to Italy where he taught at the Accademia Chigiana, Siena and Scuola S. Cecilia, Brescia. Recent work includes a guest professorship in harpsichord at the Gnesin Academy, Moscow. Apart from various master-classes in Italy and Germany he has this year been teaching, coaching and performing in Kyiv and Tallinn and Yerevan. His special field of interest is Italian keyboard music of the renaissance and early baroque. His articles on interpreting Frescobaldi appeared in the last two numbers of the Organ Year Book. He has edited the complete keyboard music of Mayone and de Macque and an edition in open score of the Fiori musicali.
He is currently preparing the new Bärenreiter edition of Frescobaldi (organ and keyboard music.) for which he was recently awarded the Noah Greenberg Prize by the American Musicological Society.
Full price for the day: £30. Students £10.
Further details and applications: www.cambridgeorganacademy.org
Email to: andrewpj@waitrose.com
Post to: CAOS Secretary, 140 Oxford Road, Cambridge CB4 3PL
Christopher Stembridge will give a recital of works by Buxtehude in Clare College Chapel on Sunday November 18th at 5.30pm (this is separate from the CAOS event).
Where? All Saints' Haslingfield, Nr. Cambridge
When? Saturday 20th October from 9am - 9 pm
For what? Much needed loos in the church - a matter of great convenience to us all !
Target £70,000/£27,000 raised so far
Can you help? Half hour slots available through the day for you to play whatever you wish - refreshments provided (but not yet loos)! Bring your friends/families to see the notable features of this large mediaeval church, consecrated in 1352.
Come and play this historic organ (J.C. Bishop 1846, Peter Bumstead 2001), which was recorded as part of the BIOS Historic Organ Sound Archive (www.bios.org.uk - click on HOSA). For full details see NPOR, search by index number C00877.
Contact José Hopkins Tel: 01223 872190
email: bios@drawstop.plus.com
Monday, 29th October at 7.30pm
THE BROMPTON ORATORY
Brompton Road
Knightsbridge
Final recital of the annual October Organ Recitals
www.bromptonoratory.com
LANGLAIS: Rhapsodie Gregorienne
BUXTEHUDE: Praeludium in F# minor, BuxWV146
FRESCOBALDI: Toccata per il Elevazione
BUXTEHUDE: Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV149
REGER: Introduction & Passcaaglia in F minor
LANGLAIS: Cantique (from Folkoric Suite)
LANGLAIS: Feux d'Artifice (Fireworks)
REGER: Benedictus, Op.59 No.9
ANDRIESSEN: Toccata
free admission
The Town Hall also features in BBC TV Midlands 'Inside Out' programme to be broadcast on Wed 3 October at 7.30pm, BBC1.
To honour the 90th Birthday of Dr Francis Jackson CBE
YORK MINSTER CHOIR
Philip Moore & John Scott Whiteley
Organ: John Scott Whiteley & Richard McVeigh
Works for organ & choir by
Dr Francis Jackson & Sir Edward Bairstow
TICKETS
£5.00 (Cash or cheque only) available from:
Church House Reception,
Ogleforth,
York
YO1 7JN
Monday to Friday 9.00 to 17.00
Tel: 01904 557208 or email: concerts@yorkminster.org
Nigel Allcoat (International Recitalist)
On the recently restored historic Holdich organ
Saturday 13 October 2007 7:00pm
Hinckley United Reformed Church
Programme
1. Georg BÖHM (1661-1733)
Præludium in C Major
2. Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Sonata VI BWV 530
i) Vivace ii) Lente iii) Allegro
3. Johann Gottfried WALTHER (1684-1748)
Chorale Variations: 'Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht'
4. Dietrich BUXTEHUDE (1637-1707)
Ciacona BuxWV 160
5. Improvised Symphony in 4 Movements dedicated to the memory of Jean Langlais
The Borough, Hinckley, Leicestershire
Admission: Adults £5:00, Children Under-16 Free
Tuesday August 14th at 7.30 p.m. in Palmerston Place Church, Edinburgh
BUXTEHUDE Prelude and fugue in G minor BuxWV 149
STANLEY Voluntary in C major
VIERNE Pastorale and Scherzetto [from 24 Pieces en style libre]
WEIR Ettrick Banks
BACH Trio Sonata no.1 in Eb major BWV 525
FRANCK Cantabile [from 3 Pieces]
BLINKO Sculpture [world premiere]
HOLLINS Pastorale and Grand Choeur no.2 in C major
Sunday August 26th at 5.15 p.m. in Ely Cathedral
PURCELL Trumpet Tune [King Arthur]
BUXTEHUDE Prelude and fugue in G minor BuxWV 149
VIERNE Pastorale and Carillon [from 24 Pieces en style libre]
BLINKO Free the Spirit and Sculpture
BACH Passacaglia BWV 582
LISZT Consolation
DUPRE Prelude and fugue in B major Op.7 no.1
Headline events include Brum Rocks Extra for The Children's - a concert in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital Red Balloon Appeal - with an all-star line-up including Robert Plant, Bev Bevan and John Lodge (line-up subject to availability). The Guillemots, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, includes the world premiere of a new work by Guillemots frontman, Birmingham-born Fyfe Dangerfield. Multi-award-winning jazz saxophonist and hip-hop artist Soweto Kinch premieres The Midnight Hop, a specially-commissioned work inspired by the forgotten stories of 18th and 19th-century black musicians in England. He also leads a summer school for young musicians working on the themes and issues of the piece.
The Re-opening Concert sees an outstanding line-up of local and national musicians performing Quincy Jones's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration, a pioneering gospel/soul re-imagination of Handel's Messiah (which was a mainstay of the famous Birmingham Triennial Festivals, held at the Town Hall from 1834 to 1912). Dusting down the great work will be Ruby Turner, Cleveland Watkiss, Soweto Kinch, Black Voices, BBC Big Band, the Reggae Philharmonic, and the cream of local gospel talent.
Celebrating the past, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Abida Parveen pay tribute to the 10th anniversary of the death of the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who played some of his greatest concerts at Town Hall. The CBSO and Chorus perform Elgar's The Music Makers, a 1912 Triennial Festival commission that ushered in a new era, alongside the violin concerto by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Britain's leading black composer of that time. Ex Cathedra celebrates Birmingham's great choral tradition with past masterpieces and pioneers the future with a new commission from John Joubert. And City Organist Thomas Trotter shows off the 6,000 newly refurbished pipes of the 1834 Town Hall organ with a world premiere from renowned composer Paul Patterson.
Pioneering the future for younger audiences, Radio 1 DJ Gilles Peterson works with cutting-edge local bands and DJs, while avant-garde champions Capsule present live performances from Broadcast and Modified Toy Orchestra, pioneers of Birmingham's experimental music scene. Town Hall joins forces with legendary promoter Punch to present the Best of British Urban, and the Festival launches the first of a series of Town Hall Debates for Young People, harking back to the building's great history of political debate and speech-making. Young people are also celebrated in a special concert drawing from the immense talent of Birmingham schools, from symphony orchestra to tin whistle ensemble.
BBC Big Band appear with seven-times Grammy nominated jazz singer Kurt Elling, and Orchestra of the Swan launch their Town Hall Classical Encounters series of friendly and informal concerts for new audiences, introduced by their dynamic conductor David Curtis.
The Town Hall throws open its doors to everyone in a Welcome Weekend at the opening of the Festival, with a carnival atmosphere of family fun and a special, one-off concert version of Wallop Mrs Cox, the show that makes you proud to be a Brummie! Later in the Festival, Town Hall Dances! is a day of dance for all ages, including Twinkle Toes for toddlers, a Festival Tea Dance and the Grand Festival Ballroom Dance.
BBC Big Band, Black Voices, Soweto Kinch, Orchestra of the Swan and Ex Cathedra and Thomas Trotter have been announced as the first Associate Artists of Town Hall. All feature prominently in the Re-opening Festival and all will enjoy a special relationship with Town Hall, collaborating on programming, education work, new audience initiatives and commissions.
Andrew Jowett, Director of Town Hall & Symphony Hall, Birmingham said: "The announcement of this festival brings us ever closer to re-opening this cherished building for the people of Birmingham and beyond. The Festival also looks forward to an exciting and varied ongoing programme of events designed to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. Together with Symphony Hall, the two venues will present around 600 concerts and events a year, welcoming everyone and inviting them to discover great performances at the heart of Birmingham."
Town Hall Re-opening Festival brochure is available now. To receive a brochure, join the free mailing list via the website www.thsh.co.uk or e-mail full address details to mailinglist@thsh.co.uk
Opus Arte was established in 2000 by Managing Director Hans Petri – who will continue in this role under Royal Opera House ownership – and Television Director Dirk Jan Bijker. Since its formation Opus Arte has grown to become a major player in the production and distribution of classical music and dance DVDs with approximately thirty DVDs released per year, many of which are also produced by Opus Arte. The company has also forged highly successful relationships with a number of opera and dance companies, filming their work and taking them to the market place. Opus Arte has anticipated the demand from global broadcasters and filmed over 50 titles in High Definition providing valuable product for the home entertainment and developing digital suppliers.
The company will be managed at arms length from the Royal Opera House with a new Board comprising of: two ROH Trustees, Sir David Lees and Simon Robey; two members of the Executive, Tony Hall and Sarah Kemp; and Hans Petri who will continue to act as Managing Director. Other non-executives with relevant experience will be appointed in due course. This contract enables the work of The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet to be recorded and distributed more widely than ever before with more than 40 existing recordings of productions by The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet now being added to Opus Arte's existing catalogue of around 140 titles.
Hans Petri, Managing Director of Opus Arte, commented: 'We are delighted that we have been able to agree a deal with the Royal Opera House over the sale of Opus Arte. We have always taken pride in the world-class nature of our product and the companies with whom we work. The Royal Opera House DVD titles in our catalogue are seen as benchmark productions within the industry, and with the Royal Opera House's acute awareness of trends and tastes in the market place I am looking forward to the next phase of our development. I would particularly like to thank the Opus Arte Shareholders and Supervisory Board members for their loyal support over the past seven years.'
Hans Petri added: 'This is an important and positive development for opera houses around the world - those we regularly collaborate with and future partners - adding exciting new possibilities for co-production, ownership and wider international access to their work. Worldwide distribution will continue via the Naxos network, bringing an ever-growing catalogue of outstanding productions to an increasingly discerning public.'
Klaus Heymann, Chairman of the Naxos Group Ltd said: 'We are extremely excited by this development. Opus Arte has long been admired for the quality of its programmes and presentation and the Naxos Group is proud to have been associated with the label since its inception. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership in this new era of Opus Arte's development.'
Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House said: 'In acquiring Opus Arte we have achieved a multiple win. We have over 40 wonderful recordings of productions by The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet available for distribution, Opus Arte has a catalogue of some 140 titles. This gives us a substantial entry into the global DVD and digital market place. As a significant part of our digital strategy it also hugely increases what we have to offer our audiences both in and beyond the opera house, with new material for our website, and for education purposes. Opus Arte also possesses enviable production and post-production skills that would prove a significant accelerator for our own big digital ambitions.'
There is a strong local tradition, mentioned by Arthur Mee in his Cambridgeshire in the King's England series, that the original part of Whaddon Church's organ was at one time in the Parish Church (now Cathedral) at Manchester. The organ had been built as a chamber organ without swell or pedal clavier and was bought through a music dealer by Mr Beaumont. (The organ-building firm, J.W. Walker, undertook the rebuild.) It appears that a lot of restoration took place in the Manchester church around 1857 and the organ there was substantially altered, so Whaddon may well have acquired part of that original instrument. The organ has certainly had an interesting history and who knows which famous musicians may have played its ivory keys?
The fame of the organ extends beyond the parish enticing, for example, a group of Dutch visitors to St Mary's in October 2001 as part of their tour to celebrate 'The Beauty of the British Organ'.
Organ enthusiast, Uldis Rubezis and his brother Vilnis, have travelled more than a thousand miles to the New Jerusalem church, on Manchester Old Road, to restore the church's redundant pipe organ back to its former glory in Latvia.
Uldis, from Rigas Raj just outside Riga, arrived at 4.30am in his old Swedish army truck on 28 April after answering the prayers of former church secretary John Ford. He contacted the former Soviet army athlete, sports coach and church elder after hearing how he had previously rescued 14 church organs from across the country.
Uldis, who has also appeared on a BBC Radio 4 documentary, estimated that it would take around 10 days to dismantle the organ and up to four or five months for three people to lovingly restore the organ back in his home town.
He said: 'We have no money to build new organs. The sound is good and the condition is good so it is cheaper for us to bring them over from the UK than to build new ones. It is very sad that in this country that some pipe organs go to the bulldozer. I do not like this.'
The painstaking operation to dismantle the 1923 organ involves removing each one of the organ's pipes individually and allocating them a number so that it can be reassembled back in Latvia. The pair are also video taping the whole process. The huge pipe organ was built by organ-makers JJ Binns of Bramley, Leeds, and cost £765. It was retained in the New Jerusalem Church from the original Rhodes Church and helped to determine the church's distinctive tent shape. The New Jerusalem church was forced to close more than two years ago after suffering from subsidence problems and a dwindling congregation.
Mr Ford, a former church secretary, said: 'We are very pleased that it will now hopefully find a home in another church.'
Laura Kenny and Harold Cunliffe
First published by the Middleton Guardian
St Michael's is in Poplar Walk, at the northern end of the Whitgift Shopping Centre and very close to West Croydon railway station and bus station. 12 minutes walk/tram/bus from East Croydon station. Car parking always available at the Whitgift Centre car parks.
The church is one of J. L. Pearson's most beautiful buildings. The organ is a magnificent 5-division (over 3 manuals and pedals) organ by 'Father' Willis (with additions by Noel Mander) in a superb case by G. F. Bodley.
The church hall (the 'Angel Cafe') servies light meals and refreshments before and after the recitals.
All welcome.
Further details from Christopher Moore on 020 8680 0348 or orcfdm1948@yahoo.co.uk
Church website: www.croydonstmichael.org.uk
Elgar's house, Craeg Lea, is just along the road from this church. The architect of the church is Arthur Troyte Griffith, who was remembered by Elgar in Variation 7 of the Enigma Variations (Troyte). There is evidence to suggest that Elgar composed part of the Enigma Variations in the church, but his offer of the original manuscript of his oratorio The Apostles, as a gift to the church, was refused by the Anglican authorities because Elgar was a Roman Catholic and the oratorio was heavily based in that tradition.
Next to the church is the Wyche School; 'Land of Hope and Glory', set to Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, was first performed here in the presence of Elgar. In later life Elgar came to dislike the nationalistic overtones which became associated with the setting.
The organ is the work of A H Winfield, a friend of Elgar. It has his characteristic stop tablets and ingenious piston system used by Nicholson's at that time. Apparently, Ralph Downes admired the similar 1909 console that was present at the Birmingham Oratory.
It is an unusual instrument having 9 speaking stops spread over three manuals and pedal with 13 couplers. A further 8 stops were prepared for but have never been put in place. The organ is given a full description by Jim Berrow in BIOS Journal Volume 18 1994.
The church members are now seeking to restore this instrument and publicise the historical nature of the building in this Elgar's 150th anniversary year. On Sunday 3rd June, from 3 to 5pm the church is holding an 'Elgar Experience'. Not only does this include a cream tea, but it will also include demonstrations of the organ.
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