GETTING VOCAL How Jonathan Dove's music helps singers to find their voice, whatever their experience > see page 2 QieAws The legacy of instruments in Gothenburg continues to grow "fils MAO Canon iS arc nals Ae Eiasa vec reoel tone) tae teres perc! rl 5) 1 NVENere) ui Ni:3 ease ary ee ‘ein! Ly Ra i\iareae 'S FOOTPRINTS IssUe8 in restoring historical instruments FLEXIBLE FRIENDS The Echo choir turns its hand to anything‘tutto Pen ea sui C _ The Performing Arts have never been more alive... see you in our Gardens GARDENS ave LONGWOOD Experiencing an outstanding musical performance amid the stunning surroundings of our Gardens n, world-renowned organ, classical, jazz, and international musicians will fill our Gardens with music. Sebastian Heindl Friday, November 1, 2019 at 8 pm Peter Richard Conte & POLYPHONIA, Friday, March 13, 2020 at 8 pm ‘Thomas Heywood Friday, May 1, 2020 at 8 pm ‘See more performances and purchase via longwoodgardens org In the heart of the Brandywine Valley in Chester County, Pnnsyivania, USA,EDITOR "S LETTER Shaping up “Music, who extls the benefits of diversifying se feature, p44) ‘We can go beyond this stil 'Non-musicians sometimes think that musicians livein their own world of music with scant concern for anything else (they are clearly unaware ofthe many Musicians Against. campaign groups) Bat the music we make is shaped by ourlife experiences. Scone well versed in art, dance, literature and poetry willbring additional depth of understanding and context o their music-making, for sure; but also to have experienced intensity ‘ofemotion — joy anger pa for music to Say’ something. [remembera technically brilliant performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto which ft me cold and remarking, "He hast suffered enough’ And when I returned from my firs visit to South Africa in 1986, having been ‘exposed tothe brutaltes of apartheid, I played Brahms lke I had never played Brahms before Masic also reciprocates by helping us to share inthe experiences of others, as for the Three ‘Choirs Festival Childrens Choi singing about the Kindertransport (see p.74, So the message for music students just embarking ‘on theie university orconservatoite courses tobe ‘atin the work and experience as much as possible itil imply make you a better musician, Maggie Row thon ove =i ru Choir & Organ shines a global spotlight on two distinatve fields of creativity celebrating inventiveness and ‘excellence in all their forms. ‘organists, composers, and. choirs of every kind: and by showeasing the imaginative craft of pipe organ building, across the centuries, Specialist writers appraise new editions and recordings of standard repertoire and works fresh from the composers pen, while our news and previews chart the latest developments in fa changing world and [present opportunities to become involved. ‘Choir & Organ isan invitation to engage with two unique areas ‘of music -to explore the new, and look afresh at the familia. SUBSCRIBE TO CE CTU SEE PAGE 80 CHOIR & ORGAN PARTNERSHIPS eet LL ‘side XStPAUES Sa 2 PM Se se So _— oe Fee IS an ee ee Seen Sale fey cena Toft bt bcos Ptie ‘eal toon wm choranrgn com CocToRER 2019 CHOIR ORGAN 3Representing the world’s premier organists and choirs since 1921 Sse eas ce) (‘Ss orn = red nr een Renee pent) peer WME MEER. Peres o me | Widens toll-free cee re 866-721-9095 Te oe f , Orrin. = eer rea) y pore _ aaa Reece Dy Cleveland, OH 44139 q \ re I Sy Aw) \ > Pen 4 com.» .s "ey EScCH NS rere eed es Sd SEL) a 4 Z cerry rtm % { ord cond BT oe ot Ger | Sear Cambridge, UK Se) ie nf tf Sec ud Pie) PUT Le li cy rr) a | eet beasadoed Lace aaay eal lcd mm Cs pelt elite CS ndOCTOBER 2019 CONTENTS CHOIR. ORGAN www.choirandorgan.com Foes yrs ene iesstpcomantsca fone 7255133 Beery pony rapier Mgr ot Scemoesaetane AW 7 ut wor maFaiongroup.com Honed by parcipation in Genesis Steen, these singers have gone ono forgea dstinte identity The fomenting organ scenetn the Swedish ctyisthe backlothto an International Organ Festvalin (October which this yer Features, ‘anew clavionganum (SEPM phd mony tudes Chuch, Ouch Rood tendon SE24 OP, Utes Kington, THAN “Ashe turns 60, the British composer takes stock and admits to having’ vision of continually evolving ideas Thefistof thre fetus on recentrestoration and rnew-buld projctsn the Netherlands assesses work done on two organs by Senter pupils YNN Avista the Welbeck workshop revels new chamber organin 17th-century German syle anda 1860 Black Foret Orchesvin, eso thechoir ‘once again demonstrates prowess ina new recording of Brahms in deutsches Requiem. Theat the series turns tothe inter-war years. Thecompettion als ofSt Albans Iterational (Organ Festival andthe Thee Choi Festa. (Our newsarieson places with musical connections launchesvthArezzoin tay. 6 News | 37 Graeme Kay goes Freestyle | Readers offers | 83 Rectal round-up | On release "Catching up with . Martin Stacey. Organ stules and church music courses including an interew with Todd Wilton, Dion state placig singers Steven Devine’ Well Tempered Clavie, David Ponsfords Marchand and Guilin Dbrinka Tabakova evoaton of Corn upper voice scores James Macias ile book andthe Sor ofthe Thomaskirce coir schoo. Longwood winner Sebastian HindNEWS & PREVIEWS HUNGARIAN WIN IN NORTHERN IRELAND | Winner van-Bogdan Reinke at the consol ofthe Wer organ nS Patek’ Church reland Cathedral Armagh IVAN-BOGDAN REINCKE. 21, FROM HUNGARY has won first prize inthe Northern Ireland International Organ Competition (NTIOC), held at t Patricks Church of leland Cathedral, Armagh, on 19 August 2019, Reincke isa stadent atthe Franz List Academy’of Musici Budapest, His winning performance began wit JSBach’ Prelude in D ‘major BWV 532, included works by Schubert and Vierne and finshed with Olivier Messiaen’ "Transports de ji from LAscesion. ‘The irst prize includes £1,500 award and seven public eitls in venues such a St Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York, ‘Westminster Abbey Kings College, Cambridge, and St Annes Cathedral, Belfast, Reincke commented, Tm incredibly happy. didsit think Thad chance of first place as everyone played so well. really Jooking forward othe recitals on the renowned organs. willalso use the prize money tofinance the costof my studies! ‘Second prizein the senior section, which includes recitals in Stockholm and Cambridge, was won by James Anderson-Besant, 20, whois junior organ scholarat St Joris College, Cambridge and third prize including recitals in Paris and Glasgovs, went to Joshua Hughes, 20, student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Killin Homburg (DE) and Jonathan Lee (AU) were highly commended, The Dame Gilian Weir Medal, awarded fora performance of one work which the chai ofthe jury considers tobe the most oustanding Inthesenior category ofthe competition, and sponsored by Allen Organs NI, wasawarded to Julia Raasch,21,a student ofthe Franz Listt, 6 com aoncan acto University of Music in Weimar, for her performance of Reger’ Tocats in minor from Zwalf tick, op8. The Bach Prize fora performance ‘ofa workby 1S. Bach went to Kllan Homburg, 18, ofthe Unive ‘of Musicand Theatre Leipzig. who played the Vivace fro nno3 in D minor BWV 527 Jury member Katherine Dienes-Williams told CeO was huge privilege to listen to so many astonishingly talented young performers "The judges faced many dificult choices, but were unanimous in theit the Sonata thinking and were delighted to award the Dame Gillian Weir Medal to Julia for her breathtaking performance of Reger. From the fist notes we were captivated by the energy and excitement she created within her performance, while we were oly too aware not only ofthe technical mastery she displayed but also her tremendous sill in coaxing the ‘organ through many registration and dynamic changes to producea performance ull of romanticism, ire, passion and joy in abundance ‘Our first place winner, Bogdan, chose beautifully contrasting programme of works, throughout which he crafted every note with ‘musicality. His own musicianship resounded so larly throughout allofhis performances and tis always so exiting tohear this level of ‘communicative interpretation conveyed so convincingly through such masterful playing, His programme was an utter delight tolisten to and he was indeed avery worthy first place winner who will no doubs go ‘onto delight audiences through the performance opportunites hes “offered as part ofhis prize! wwncnioc.comTHE BIG PICTURE ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL, master ofthe Queens Music judith Weir and sound, a‘new music {incubator organisation based in north-east Scotland, have joined forces to mark the re-opening, ‘of Aberdeen Art Galley with the world premiere of Weir's 2017 work, The Big Picture Aberdeen Art Gallery s home to one ofthe finest collections inthe UK, inclading works by Important Scotish artists, designers and makers such as Henry Racburn, Joan Eardley, Samuel Peploe, Rachel McLean, Bill Gibb and James Cromar Watt as wellas Claude Monet, Barbara “Hepworth, Francis Bacon, and Tracey Emin, ‘The €34.6m project, which began in 2015, is set to transform the Art Gallery, concert venue (Covdray Hall and Remembrance Hal intoa major cultura aration ‘The new work, co-commission by the Council and soundfstival, celebrates the creativity of Aberdeen, bringing together schoolchildren and amateur singers wth profesional instrumentalist and the singers of Cn Anima, Weir, whose parents both came fom Aberdeenshire and who has log connection with the city, told Ce-O, ‘Wishing to examine a subject important, in diferent ways to both the visual arts and music, decided to write about colour Pursuing the relationship between musi and colour to its logical concasion composers have often discussed whether musical tones and keys canbe related to particular colours; the extreme form ofthis phenomenon is "synesthesia where listeners experience musical sound visually in colour “Although Ihave never sensed musi his way I elised after long reflection that Thad certain cleat ideas about certain keys "belonging" to certain colours and Ihave explored these personal perceptions in The Big Pictur, a cantata in five colour themed movements? ‘The 17-minute work, which sets textsby King Henry VII, Wallace Stevens, Robert Frost, John Boyle O'Reilly and Christina Rossetti scored for SATB choi unison chorus clarinet, percussion and keyboard, The world premiere - given by Exaud al local performers, conducted by Aberdeen University’s organist and master of chapel and ceremonial music Roger B, Wiliams, and by John Horton = will take place ata private performance on 31 October, {allowed bythe fist public performance on 2 November Booking details bitly/S4bEKeZ 1 Architects impression ofthe redeveloped Aberdeen Art Galery compen ww chovandoancom IN BRIEF Corrections Inthe September issue Scholarships & Voice Trials supplement, the photo on BST was of Timothy Parsons Exeter Cathedral assistant director of music, not ‘organ scholar; and the photo on p.S8 was (of Timothy Noon conducting the boy and gir choristers of Exeter Cathedral, ott ‘Marys Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh {And the emallfor St Marys Warwick director of music Oliver Hancock's dofim@stmarysarwickorg.uk Jn August, Marius Herb won Ist prize Inthe Wuppertal International Organ Competition, Herb, who was born in 2000 in Augsburg, takes away a prize of 000, ‘Anew, £9.5m musicinstitute isto be builtin the West Midlands A former office bulding, Cable Plaza on The Waterfrontat Brierley Hil s being given complete facelift by Overbury,the KS leading Mt outand refurbishment specialist. When completed, the institute = Resonance - wll havea mixture of classrooms, lecture theatres, recording studios, practice room and radio studios. Itwil offer degrees for students seeking a careerin a range of music industries, and willaso bea community music hub. eis ‘due to open in September 2020, (0n 13 Octthe Leipzig vocal ensembles amarcord and Calmus will eeive the Opus lasik award in the Choral Recording ofthe Year category. The awards presented by Germany's Verein zur Forderung der Klassschen Musik eV. Thearists have won the award for Leipziger Disputaton, thei fis joint (CD production, released by Carus[CAR £83497], The core ofthe dscis Antoine Brumels 12-part Mass, which itis assumed was heard onthe occasion of the Leipzig Disputationin 1519-athree- eek discussion between Martin Luther and the papal theologian Johannes Eckin Leipzig Thomaskirche OBER 219 CHORRORGAN 7NEWS & PREVIEWS NEW ORGAN FESTIVAL FOR NZ FORTHCOMING EVENTS abcd Emerging/Progressive Conducting Courses 128 13 Oct, t Gabriels, Pimlico, Landon ‘Obeerver places are avaliable on this joint course for those with experience insingingand/or conducting to develop ‘exiting sil, and for those who work with atleast one choir ona regularbasisand wish to further develop their technique Basic Conducting Skills Day {60e, Hall Schl, London Led by Suzzie Vango. Practica sills for anyone new'to conducting cholrs and \wantingsome help, or who has been ‘conducting fora while and wantsto refresh their sil, How to shape sound sing gesture, deepening understanding ‘of vocal skill, and how to communicate effectively in rehearsal with your chov. Initial Course (Octo Feb (four one-day sessions), Neweaste Tutors include Liz Gamettand Tom Leech Forthose who are either new to choral ‘conducting, orhave conducted fora while and want to back up ther experience with traning ‘Young Conductor Day _2Nov, Magdalen College, Oxford With Sarah Tenant-Fowers For anyone aged 18-25 and interested in leading choir orwho alteady has some ‘onductngexperienceand would tke to learn more, come and sing 16 Nov, Scunthorpe Anenjoyable day ofinging with composer ‘Alan Bullard leading participants through several ofhis onn works, Allabed events and booking ae at swuwiabed org uk/events/abed-events THE CHURCH OF ST MARY OF THE ANGELS INWELLINGTON isthe principal venue in the fist New Zealand International Organ Festival which launched in September. ‘The festivals promoted by theZimbelstern Foundation, which aims to build audiences for, and broaden the appeal of the organ 5 ell, ss creating and promoting opportunities for tists from New Zealand and overseas Following four concerts in St Mary’ the event also presents performances in other North Island towns and cities: Rotorua, “Hamilton, Hastings, Masterton and ‘Auckland, Featured organiss included Sergio (Orabona (IT), Mateusz Rzewuski (PL), Michael Stoddart (UK), and New Zealand organist Douglas Mews nd Paul Rosoman (also the foundations artistic directo). 1 Theconsolef Welingtons Fernie Orzan 1.2006, the Wellington organ vas named after the celebrated New Zealand choral director, organist, teacher and composer Maxwell Fernie, who was director of music from 1958 uni his death in 1999, The 11/65 west galley instrument was builtin 1958 bythe Auckland firm of George Croft and Son Ltd, to Fernie’ tonal design and pipe-scaling. In 1984 the organ was extensively rebuilt and extended by the South Island Organ Company of Timaru, once again to specifications drawa up by Ferie and under his careful supervision. Ferie died in 1999;his work is continued by trst, and in 2006-07 the organ — unique in NZ. - received a further restoration by the South Island company,REMEMBERING LEIGHTON |The choir oft Mary's cathedal Elnburgh has os afllation with the music of Kenneth Leighton EDINBURGH LABEL DELPHIAN RECORDS i to mark the 90th anniversary ofthe birth of ‘the composer Kenneth Leighton with two recordings:a re-release of the complete piano ‘works, performed by Angela Brownie, and Sacred Choral Works, performed by the Choit of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh. Leighton was born in Wakefield on 2 October 1929 and gained his early musical experiences asa chorister atthe city’s cathedral There, he was particularly drawn to the music ‘of Palestrina and late 16th-century vocal polyphony, which surfaced in the austerity ofhis _musical language during his middle years and marked the textural lait ofhis mature works ‘Church musi’ Leighton wrote, 's undoubtedly a channel of communication for me one ‘that remained open throughout his working life. ‘The new recording of Leighton choral works willbe conducted by t Mary's Cathedeal’s organist and master ofthe music, Duncan Ferguson. For usat St Mary’ there isa particular 58-0, given Leightonsp Edinburgh’ Reid Professor of Music, his friendship with my sometime predecessor Dr Dennis association with his music; he told ition as the University of Townbill and asa regular attendee for services and concert at the cathedral ‘As we approached the 90th anniversary of Leighton/sirth it seemed the perfect ‘opportunity for us to record his best-knovin choral works but also, importantly, some of his rarely performed and unrecorded pieces. Alongside the carols Luly, ula thow tle tiny child and Ofc rose ial my song is Wassail a very effective arrangement ofthe Gloucestershire folk song strikingly diferent tothe style we recognise so well from Leightons original compositions ‘The choir has also recorded one of Leighton lst pieces the Missa Sancti Petri, writen for Peterborough Cathedeal in 1987, year before his death, ‘The works more demanding to perform and to listen to than many of Leighton’ works; says Ferguson, "bull the more rewarding frit, including the incredibly moving Agnus Det in which Leighton reflects cements ofhis earlier work, the Cruifisus pro nobis als recorded on the dsc), and in which ‘one cannot help but sense that the end is not fara Tyo important works writen for St Mary's and ist conducted by Leighton with the cathedral choir re also recorded: Awake my glory, setting words by Christopher Sma colourful in style and not dissimilar to Smart’ text used by Britten in his Rejoice in he Lamb’; and What love shi of thine? ~'s ine unaccompanied work writen to mark the 25th anniversary of Dennis Townhills tenure as cathedral organist t St Mary's! Kenneth Leighton: Sacred Choral Works [DCD 34218] is due tobe released on 29 November 2019, EVENTS (Organ students from the Royal Academy ‘of Music wil perform the clascsilent horror fim Nosferatu(1922) wth improvised organ andlve electronics, directed by visting professor Franz Danksagmiller. The performance isat ‘Tpm on Monday 7 Octin the Academy/s Dukes Hal ‘The TstInternational Organ Competition Fiorella BenettiBrazzale! takes placein theltalian city of Vicenza from 7-11 Oct. Repertoire fr the finals, hich take place inthe cathedral Includes a commissioned piece, Pesto. sul'antifona Salve Regina by Pierangelo Valtinon. ist prizes €2500. The jury comprises Giancarlo Parodi (I, president), Luger Lchmann (D®), Roman Peruck (PU, Marco Ruggeri(T) and Enrico Zanovello (1) The2019/20 Leamington Music Winter ‘Season opens on 4 Oct, and includes ‘performance by The Gesualdo Six (pictured; 6 Oct, StMarys, Warwick) oftheir new programme, Music of the Heavenly Spheres worksby composers from Hildegard of Bingen through to Owain Parkand Tim Watts. Evens laterin the season includea concert of early music given by Musica Secreta (12 Nov} Stile Antico evoking 'A Spanish Nativity (10 Dec; Christmas With the Carice Singers (16 Dec)-and Guillaume de Machaut- Portrait of Genius with the Orlando Consort (24 Mar) Further detals rom 01926 334418, royaspacentreanctownhall co.uk.OUTHBANK CO} OANE AAD) INTERNATIONAL ORGAN SERIES Sia TEVCOB EL LEE pee ey AU ane eT Because er enn ae Deere) eof the most brilliant concert organists Sunn PNY southbankcentre. For all your . music education & performance equipment Choral risers Choral & orchestral music folders Conductor's equipment Staging Acoustic shells for choirs Musie stands, Tights & carts Music chairs & carts FREEPHONE 0800 072 7799 www.blackcatmusic.co.ukNEWS & PREVIEWS A FATHER WILLIS BACK EVENTS IN ACTION emote day masterclass by Olivier Latry from LIVERPOOL BLUE COAT SCHOOL isto alumnae —knownas‘Old Blues'~DrChris | 812Jan 2020."Viere and His Teachers launch a national organ scholarship scheme, McElroy and Lee Ward, directors of music __‘Franckand Widor wiltake place in following the restoration ofits historic at Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Hamburg on the 1998 Th, Kuhn 1/65 pipe organ, dueto be re-installed bythe “Metropolitan Cathedral respectively Iwill organ builtin French romantic stylein Liverpool firm of Henry Willis &Sonsthis not only aim tokeep playing organ music month, live but will enforce Liverpool place on ‘The 1/21 Willis instrument isthe the classical music map, centrepiece ofa wider restoration ofShirley With the help of community volunters, Hall in Wavertree; the organ was moved the organ restoration project wil also see there from the old Blue Coat Hospital the 19th-century organ become the heart School buildings in 1901, and would ‘of regular public concerts for the frst time have been listened to daily by BeatleJohn a S0-member community choi willbe Lennon father Alfred, who attendedthe formed; the school archive willbe digitally state school from 1921-28. ‘catalogued; and anew website developed Internationally significant duetoitssize, forthe organ and the school. The'Pather quality of workmanship and originality, the Willi’s Wicked Workshops’ programme historic instrument has had itdealteration wil feature the organ leading interactive nits 144-yearhistory and will nowbe the music, heritage and science workshops for subject ofan exciting new musicand social primary school pupils from disadvantaged projectat Blue Coat School areas of Liverpool and for specialist school _theJohanniskrche Altona Evangelical ‘Once the organ isback to fullworking pupils suchas Royal School forthe Blind Lutheran), The main language will ‘order the School willlaunch the BlieCoat_ Liverpool. This wil include'Willss Waves’ | _be English, Fourteen players willbe (Organ Scholarship scheme asalegacy ofthe workshops led by aretred physics teacher, | _ selected fom those who register forthe National Lottery-fanded restoration. Open which wll use th organs mechani to ‘masterclass, based onthe repertoire topupils romacross the UK, thescheme teach the principles of sound waves, they have chosen. Also plannedare will offer unsurpassed trainingata national ‘The Blue Coat School Community Choir, | _viss othe restored Silbermann organ Teveland help address the shortage of under Chris McElroy, wil perform ata Inthe SanktJacobi-Kirche and tothe ‘organiss in particular female players CCelebratory Concert to relaunch the Willis | 1955 Rudolf von Beckerath organ at ‘Theschemeissupported by Blue Coat organ on 29 January 2020 Sankt-Peti-Kirche, as wellas acy tour Registration €240 (€180 for students) 1 The Blue CoatSchool organ under restoratonintheworkshopsof Henry Wills & Sons for participants; observers €150. Hotel [OH sccommodation nearthe church is €60/ J ‘person (double occupancy), orlessina 1 | nearby hostel, Contact: Michael Graber, ++497451 9007992, Michael Grueber® ‘organpromotion de. OrganPromation org Individuals and choir members are Invited to take partin the Annual Choral Festival ofthe Royal School of Church ‘Music Oxordshire, which takes place (0n 12 Octin t Mary the Virgin, Henley: ‘on-Thames, directed by Paul Hale. The Festival booklet containingallthe music ‘snow available, and details of regional rehearsals and learning sessions are listed at bitly/2PyF7yQ; the booking form s atbitly/32kwe3Q. 2019 CHORRORGAN TTNEWS & PREVIEWS MUSIC TO MARK 750 YEARS EVENTS ‘The London premiere of ames MacMillan new Symphony, ‘Le grand inconnu’ takes place on 14 Octin the Barbican Centre Thework -an ‘exploration ofthe Holy Spi ‘commissioned by the Genesis Foundation {for TheSinteen and Harry Christophers, ‘who give the London premiere together swith Genesis Seen and the Britten Sinfonia. The concert alo features the UK premiere of MacMillan The Sun Danced, an ecstatic choral celebration ‘ofthe Miracle of Fatima, premiered in 2016 in Portugal alongside music by Pir. and Britten, Box office: 0845 1207550, barbican orgiuk Music management company HarvisonParrott celebrates its 50th anniversary on 6 Oct by taking over Londonis Southbank Centre for'$0 Years in Day. The event features HarrsonPartott artissin concerti the QEH and RFH, and in conversation with SBC director of music Gillan Moore. HarrisonParrot chatJasper Parrott saic:'Our day of performances andtalks on 6 October snatjusta ay of looking back over the past 50 years, but ‘more importantly ita day of celebrating what HarrisonParrotis today and our future. Thears are crucial oa civilised society and while we continue tive in uncertain times, HarrisonParcot’s ‘commitment to nurturingand presenting, ‘excellencels stronger than ever harrisonparrot com/hp50 ‘An organ taining day on Hymns and Voluntaries takes place on 19 Octin Holy Tinity, Windsor, organised by the Royal Collegeof Oganists and RSCM Berkshire ‘Other RCO events include a Performance ‘lass (12 Oct, Lincoln Cathedral) Teach ‘the Organ (Stiles Cripplegate, London: ass 1,19 Oc; cass 2,26 Oct) Oh, $0 satis! with ames Parsons (19 Oct, 'Neweastle pon Tyne) and Adlington’s ‘time capsule expioringrepertoreon the ‘oldest working organin the UK, wth Daniel Mout(31 Oct). rcoorguk/events php 12 choma orcas 1 The 13th-century Westminster Abbey church lays aeyole intel fhe ation THIS OCTOBER, WESTMINSTER ABBEY will mark the 750th anniversary ofthe consecration of Henry ITs Abbey the 13h-century church which standsat the hear ofthe nation to this day Henry II was devoted to St Edward the Confessor, and in hishonous he rebuilt St Edward's, 1th-century Abbey in the new Gothic style of architecture. Work tarted in 1245 and the consecration ofthe chureh took place on 13 October 1268 The Abbey is famous for is role in national fe asthe coronation church, andi is the final resting place of 17 monarchs alongside countless figures of repute and importance, Among these are George Frideric Handel who i buried in Poets’ Corner, and Henry Purcell Ralph ‘Vaughan Willanss, Charles Viirs Stanford and Herbert Howell, who le in Musicians’ Aisle {As part ofthe 750th anniversary celebration, ina special eres of four Sunday recitals st 5.45pm, organsts from Westminster Abbey and St Margarets Church wil present music ‘written for famous occasions at the Abbey and by composers who worked here and are ‘memorialised here: Greg Moris, director of music, St Margaret Church, Westminster Abbey (13 Oct); Mathew Jory assistant organist (20 Oct); Alexander Hamilton, organ scholar (27, (Oct); Peter Holder, sub-organist (3 Nov). The Abbey has also commissioned a new commemorative anthem director of music James (O'Donnel told C60: Matthew Martins Our cornerstone wil receive its fist performance at special service on 15 October. The tex is derived from two sources the Latin hymn “Angularis fandamentum” and the English hymns good Lord to be here” westminster abbey.orgWILLIS EXTRAVAGANZA FOR SOMERSET ‘THE CHURCH OF ST MARY MAGDALENE, TAUNTON isto mounta series ofconcerts to celebrate the restoration ofits Father Willis orga. An inaugural gala organ choral and brass concert will be presented bythe augmented church choir with local oganistsand musicians, led by director of music Miles (Quick (12 Oct) James Lancelot, canon organist emeritus of Durham Cathedral, willgivea celebrity rectal (20 Oct) followed byan Elgar lecture recital by Andrew Millington, former director of musica Exeter Cathedral (23 Nov). ‘The events are the culmination ofa £250,000 programme of restoration bythe Devon organ builder Michael Farley, While the churcis organ history began in 1708 with an instrument started by Pathe’ Smith, the present organ, by Father Willi, was builtin 1882 aa cost of E1400, a very large sum at thetime, 11907, at which date the organ had 44 speaking stops and 1838 pipes thelocal im ‘of Geo, Osmond & Ca. made some minor alterations, bt the biggest change came swith a £500 rebuild in 1931 when Osmond’ changed the setion from mechanical tracker to direct pneumatic, andan electric blower Wid He I | Terenored pipework at st Mary Magdalene, Taunton wasinstalled the organ hadevidenty been allthe pipework; and renewal ofthe console pumped by band unt that time, With no ‘wth the installation ofa modern digital furthermajorrestorationssince that time, capture system, the instrument escaped any fashionable Miles Quick told C60, "The work of neo-classical revisions of the post-war period. Michael Farley and his dedicated team has ‘The programme of work proposed by retained the wonderful romantic nature of consultant an Bell included renewal ofthe theinstrument, making the organ reliable, action, mostofthelestherworkandattention more versatile and fit to support worship and tothesoundboards;cleaningand repairof musical events in Taunton inthe 2ist century “The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) has awarded a musical development Scholarship worth up o £1,000 toa parish music director the Roman Catholic diocese cf Northampton. Helen Murphy (le) plays the organ and lead the choir at Our Lady ofthe Sacred Heart, Welingborough; she is responsible for the church's musical if, ‘maintaining afl programme of traditional hymns and anthems, including plansong. ‘hile composing her own musicforthliturgy. Murph is also the honorary secretary of the Northampton and District Organist Association and supports choral events across Peterborough and Northampton dioceses. ‘The Music Development Scholarship is delivered inthe form of a weeks residence and tuition at the RSCMssummer school, which Murphy attended in August 2019, taking patina range of workshops led by church music experts and leading composers cof modern music for worship. The Intemational Summer Schools triennial educational event forthe RSCM. This ‘yar itbrought around 60 delegates and experts from across the world to Belsey Bridge Conference Centre in Norfolk. Delegates toured the Angel Roof churches and cathedrals of East Anglia. Lectures and debate an in tandem with tuition in copyright, finance, service planning and music aranging: composers worked with Cecila McDowall, and church organists participated ina masterclass. The week culminated ina Eucharist sung withthe RSCM's Millennium Youth Choir at Norwich Anglican Cathedral. em orguk ‘cHomRsoRGAN 13NEWS & PREVIEWS SEARCH FOR SOLACE STJOHNS, SMITH SQUARE will host the European premiere of The Sacred Vel, a new 12-movement work from Grammy-winning ‘composer Eric Whitaee and poet/Iyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri tellinga story oflove, loss and grief (25,26 Oc) Silvestri wife Julie, died of ovarian cancer at age 36 in 2005, leaving two young children, His texts, written collaboratively with Whitacre, and the score tell a story of courtship, love loss and the search fr solace. Silvestri has provided choral texts and ‘opera brett for composers Ola Geilo, Kim Arnesen and Dan Forrest, and for ensembles and institutions ranging from high schools to Houston Grand Opera the Kings Singers, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, Westminster Choir College and Westminster Abbey. The 50-minate work, scored for ATE choi, solo cello and piano, was co-commissoned by the Ls Angeles Master Chorale, “Monash Academy of Performing Arts, Melbourne (AU) and NTR ZaterdagMatince forthe Netherlands Radio Choir. The work was premiered at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, in February 2019, conducted by the compose. The Sacred Veil received unprecedented aclaim from the media, ‘concertgoers and participating artists following the premiere and is Whitacres most extensive choral work to date, The LA Times critic noted that The Sacred Veil'memorably celebrates the precarious beauty oflife, offering the welcome consolation of art anda momentary stay against our collective fate! = Whitacre andsives atthe LA word premier of The Sacred Vl RS James MacMillan: The Sun Danced Ginessin College Choi! Walker 20ct Zaryadye Concert Hall Moscow, RU ‘Meliss Dunphy Waves of Glipo Saint Louis Chamber Chorus Bames (6c, Masonic Prince Hall Grand Lodge, ne Eo Philp Cooke: Ave regina cacloram ‘Cappella NovaEvenee {6 Oct, King’ allege Chapel Aberdeen, UK Philp Cooke: Whenin Our Music Douglas First United Methodist Church Choi/Gieath (6c, Dovglavile First United Methodist (Church, Douglas, GA, US Philp Cooke Saveregina Novae Singers/Me Taggart {60c, The Camnock Ty, SJohns Church, Cumnock, UK “anders Hllorg The Breathing ofthe World Sstscobs Chamber Cho Theo Hilborg (=), OrchesteiJenkins Filip Graden (ve. Graden 1204 t James Chutch,Stockoln, SE Torsten Rasch Seven Sct Stoke Passion RIAS Kammerchor, Anna Carewe (¥e)/Doyle 13 Oc Heinich Shit Must, Weel. DE iar Jenkins Miseere: Songs of Mercyand Redemption excerpts) Kathryn Rdg or), Crouch End Festival (Chorus, Abe Selaocoe ve), Royal Phlharmosie 130er Royal Albert Hall, London, UK james MacHiln: The Sun Danced The Ssteen'Christophers 14.04, Barbican Hal London, UK ‘Matthew Marti: Our Cornerstone ‘Westminster Abbey Chot/0 Donnell 150et, Westminster Abbey, London, UK ‘Magnus Lindberg: Triumph to Exist Masi Centre Che, Finnish Radio SO/Lnty 160, Helink! Muse Cente, The London performances wil be given by the Eric Whitacre Singers, with Christopher Glynn (piano) and Jeffrey Zeigler (cell), under the baton ofthe composer. Whitacre and Charles Anthony Silvestri will participate in a pre-concert talk before each performance. The concerts will open with woof Eric Whitacre’s ‘most popular works, Lux Aurumgue and Leonardo Dreams ofhis Flying Machine. Booking details: btly/22DASIC Roxanna Panufrile Four Choral Seasons Bach Chor Philharmonia Ochi iterpolation forthe” 17 Oct, Royal Festal Hall Londos, UK Jodith Weir bugis beyond blue ils BBC Singers, Lge String Quare/eannin 10a, Miton Court Baica, London, UK ‘Cecilia McDowall Brightest Sar Chav de Orchestre de Pariarous 20 Oet, Conservatoine Gabriel Far Pari, FR ‘ob Cileott © Lord thou hatsearched me, {and known me Choir of Westminster Cathedral Baker 24 0et, Westminster Cathe, London, UK rie Whitacre: The Sacred Vel RF] Eric Whitacre Singer ery Zeigler (ve, Christopher Glyn (po)/Whitacre 258 26 Oct, st Johns Smith Square, London, UK Judith Weir TheBigPicure Exaudl and local perfoemers/ Willams & Horton 31 Oct, Now, Aberdeen Ar Gallery, UK Please email items for News and Letters to the Editor fr publication in future issues to maggie hamilton@markallengroup.com, ‘or post to The Editor, Choir & Organ, Mark Allen Group, StJude's Church, Dulwich Read, London SE240PB, UK. 14 cHoms orcas‘We in kings of Orient re sae BORACUM CHORAL Coty Baty ae | mer Fern acai ries 5 q | ; iE TL EZ C7) oe eT Methuen ret orem First Parish Church Ls “The LearedeVetel tare FaerancelereXeeg eT ees ...took the audience to new levels xia) ymonratest Seren rind Peon AUT reT SOR iacaii orchestra or Www.tonybiggin.com/requiem Soe RCI Intsre rake +44 (0)7899 996192RE EEL) 3C9 Markus Passion = hel ro eee Pe Pee Ree ME Ce Td Sea Sa y eee Peet n eee Peni ene een en eet eee Peers Cee Eee Lae om HRT me Ce erator i sooo & ae Will Todd songs of peace Written in memory of the composer's mother, Will Todd's Songs of Peace is a six movement work about love and loss. Appropriate in a memorial context, it in many waysis avery ‘life-affirming’ work, characterised by Todd’s recognisable jaz2-infused harmonic language, memorable melodies, and powerful and personal texts. May be performed complete, as separate movements, orasaselection. Wil Todd songs of Peace for mixed choi (SATB dis) ISMN 979-0.060-2974-2 It can be accompanied by piano alone or jazz tro. 99 snare one cam soose (ofHawnesThey began singing together in the Genesis Sixteen programme, and didn't want to stop Clare Stevens meets members of the Echo choir ‘of Purcells Dido and Aeneas fling awestruck by the performance ofthe chorus But wth no Aisrespect tothe excellent principals in Ryedale estival’s production tht toured three Yorkshire churches in July, ‘twas the eight strong chorus, some of whom also took the smaller roles that made the biggest impression on ine, Tvenever seen or heard.a Dido chorus that changed I: is unusual to come away from a performance character so eectively between one scene and the next, both physically and vocally - their transformation from courtiers to members ofa witches’ coven to sailors and ‘hei molls and back seemed almost magical, and the quality oftheirsinging played a huge part in the success ofthe opera The performance was semi-staged, with ‘minimal pops, simple but very effective costumes and Yet these singers were not operatic specialists they ‘were members ofthe Echo choir, resident for the ist ‘week of the festival. [sawa morning performance of Dido in Helmsley, and the same evening they reassembled down the road in Kirkbymoorsde for late-night concert on the theme of mortality, performing a wide range of repertoire interspersed by readings from his own work by the poet Roger “McGough. Sitting in the pulpit a couple of feet from Echo, McGough seemed mesmerised by their 1 Echo:thevoal ieee paring Jinn folsongand ‘cHoiRsoncAN 17Srecnomtne eae ob Unde mes ‘ci 18 choms orcas + performances, and atthe end he was reluctant to accept applause for himsebut kept deflecting t towards the chor, peaking warmly oftheir skil cho young professional ensemble that emerged from the 2015/6 line-up of GenesisSixteen, The Siteeis free artist training scheme that gives group of ingest the tart oftheir carers the chance to spend time working intensively on performance projects with director Harry Christophers Ck Dougan That w Sarah Latto, who was part ofthe team as Genesis Band a oat director Eamonn particularly inspiring yea’ says secon-ever conducting schoas and now conducts Echo, 'We were lucky enough to getan extra opportunity to spend a weekend in residence at ames MacMilans ‘Camnock Tryst, and welo singing together asa group somuch that afer our last performance we decided that, many of sas possible would try to carry on Establishinga new choir in such acrowded marketplace i challenging, but Echo seems to have been remarkably succesful. The Genesis Sixteen connection led toan invitation to take patin Debut Sounds, the rent forthe iv participants inthe London Philharmonic Orchestras Young Composers scheme; performances by Echo punctuated the premiers ofthe new instrumental works crated as areslt ofthe year-long mentoring programme. This worked so wellthat Echo hasbeen asked backon its own, merit for two more Debut Sounds concets, The choir hasalso benefited from promotion by the Chiltern Arts Young Artists Platform Take Noteasa result they were hear by pianist Christopher Glynn, artistic director of the Ryedale Festival, which led to this year residency chois Ryedale performances incuded a eple ‘concert withthe Els String Quartet and His Maestys Sagbutts and Cornett in the lavish surroundings ‘of Castle Howard, Bach ensemble was placed ina diferent part ofthe mansion and gave ee 30-minute performances of the same programme, while the audience moved from one place tothe next between performances, Echo’ selection of short, contrasting Pieces ranged from motets by Byrd and Talisto works by Tippett, Arvo Part and Roxanna Panui independent for Dido and Aeneas, fr which Eamonn Dougan was the musical The singers were eng director, Sarah Lato credits him aswell as movement director Monica Nicolaides wth the imagination and attention to deal that produced such an engaging performance. Eamonris commitment to textand dramafssecond to none! shesays. Performingthe operathree A second aims toinclude in most concert timesin dation ourown concertswasrelly ring programmes one or more pleces that ae not fom the forthe singers butitwasanicethingforthem todo. western asia canon, We wan to honour the fact talzomeant ve wereableto work with lor that were in that tradition and that wlalways provide Carton, who isalovely olin and somecther gest the core of our repertoire but we dort want tobe insirumentalss hope we can goon fom that o restricted in terms of genres orbe worried about gong explore morebaroque repertoire For example, Tdlove beyond our normal boundaries and introducing fll todoa programme around thebasoostinatoandshow word or rock music howit was sed by diferent composers throughout Is this something the singers relish think breaking Barope within a period of 50-10 yea als ike down the boundaries between genesis already ‘commission some worksforvoleesand percussion happening with younger musicians in instrumental group acombination thathasrtreallybeen plored musi say Lato is just taking abit longerin ruck profesional choral singing where enserblestend ‘Conductors ato Around dotenofEchok concerts sofarhavebeen _toperform either sacred musi or close-harmony andmemberof ce seltpromotions Lattoacknowiedgesthatthissrsky for arrangementsof popular songs: but theres mich estudio, ‘young group, butthe choir now hasaheaihy umber more han those twoendsofthe spectrum. vedone _SrverBewaried, ‘ofbookings and hasjust appointed a development some of my own arrangementsfor Echo andsohave & —normalboundaies manager to help bring in funding to support projects they really want to undertake, Artistic direction and ‘administration are shared primarily between Lattoand soprano Samantha Cobb ~ she been crucial in helping me to establish the choir’ ~buttheyareken to foster collegial approach to artistic planning and presentation that inclads thei colleagues," Weve got an amazing group =I want themall feel artistically engaged, otherwise they are just jobbing singers want them to beartistcally invested in what were doing and bring thee own ideas ‘This particularly obviousin their aspiration to Include an element of improvisation in most of their concerts. ‘Choral improvisation is rare in our tradition, but Echo singers areal superb musicians and are moe than capable oft, We start with easier ideas, such asa chord progresion on which we sing fragments of _nelodies, then move to ree improvisation and from {onal to more atonal soundworlds 170 ‘CHOIRS ORGAN 19‘Meet you inthe Maze’ Echo Saturday 12 (October St Michael the archangel, Southampton, atTpm-Spm Sunday 20 October, Music Room, London, at 4pm-Spm < other members ofthe choir; sometimes we wonit have anything written down, well workaround a few melodies! Echo third im isto havean clement of audience participation in most concerts. "Were ll inthis position because we love singing the feling of singing with group isvery special and we want to share that with ‘ur audiences, i sure most people who come ta hear "ushave sung somewhere themselves, but maybe not everyone, "Well get them to singa pedalorarriffora chorus and wemight improvise around it, At Castle Howard, ‘vesang Michael Tipptts version ofthe spiritual "Nobody knows and asked the audience to join in swith an ostinato "Nobody knows" motif Sofa ithas lays worked very well I dont thinkit has seed ringeworthyof patronising The musical ideas dont have tobe ridiculously easy peopleare not stupid. You can do quite complicated things with agroup of people, sch as Clapping Music by Steve Reich - the audience claps thebit that desst change’ The choirs name isa reflection ofthis desire to bridge the gap between performers and audience “There is huge culture of unintentional intimidation that can discourage people from exploring choral msi, We wantto be really accessible - that's why we 20 coir a orca ocro%ER 2019 «hose Echo rather than Latin name that not everyone ‘would understand. I want anyone to feel they can come toanamazing choral concert, not just people who have been singing in cathedealstheie whole lives? Having sid that, Latto adds that her overarching aim sto maintain the legacy of the Genesis Sixteen programme that launched the chor. "That means performing amazing music ta very high level: the reason The Sixteen areso good isthat they take the music apart and dissect the meaning oft. Musical excellence has tobe paramount, no matter what sort of music weke performing ~ thats my main goal” [Nexton the agenda for Echo isto bring their “Met youn the Maze’ concert series to London and Southampton this autumn, with a programme they first performed atthe Ikon Gallery in Biringham, ‘Spanning nine centuries of music from Hildegard ‘of Bingen, through |S. Bach to Steve Reich and James Blake ~the concert explores aspects of mazes and. ples, the navigation ofthe unknown, and the concept ‘ofalestricsm inart. © owinecho-choircom Clare Stevens works as awrite, editor and publicist inthe Welsh Marches, where she sings with Hereford Choral SocietyDIVINE ART RECORDINGS GROUP INNOVATIVE | ECLECTIC | FASCINATING | INSPIRATIONAL Christmas Albums b+ ied Pe cee ee eu aacld ree meen etree rs 3 mem ele erc : Renan 4 TUL etd LN (irsimas ‘ ' ; o Ce ere) Se Nee Card SORES cove Christmas Card Carols Cord F Eo ae ea ae inSinmons ) ere aeero * P Aer TOUS esse Se BL oe ae aed Recent releases MUS uriy me curr s ‘Cheltenham College Chapel cr ase OU LSCey rotunda reg tee OT eee Aon aL LAD TULLE Le Pr ee “a truly perfect fusion of words and music. Became) en ee eo faced evr tered Carson Cooman Organ Music vol. 11 abe da eer a ee) eras PE Ssty (ore eercue) Poetic] De ay CR eM ce ara Pe Gt est) “A great masterpiece, and no mistake.” Sverre sity een eis un OAS Mla}Unity of purpose Twenty-five years after the launch of the Géteborg International Organ Academy, artistic director Hans Davidsson talks to Anne Page about what prompted its foundation, its legacy, and a new claviorganum that will play a prominent role in the festival 2 An OCrORER 2019he city of Giteborg (Gothenburgas itis -knoven in English and German) on Sweden’ ‘west coast as for centuries been a focus of international exchangein trade and industry ‘This year the city celebrate its quarter-century asa ‘major centre in the international organ world with the 2sth anniversary ofthe Goteborg International (Organ Academy. The festival’ artiste director, Hans Davidsson, ha been the insptation and driving force behind these developments in his native city His periods of study abroad and years of professional ww chovandoancom appointments inthe US and Germany have consolidated a global network of scholars, students, performers and organ builders of which Gateborgisan essential part Davidsson’ philosophy of uniting all aspects of organ at took root early in his career, he explains: ‘My first encounter with the sound quality of historical organs came in 1975 (organs at Morlanda and Jonsered) during Goteborg’ first organ festival, which was organised by Henrik Jansson, cathedral organist in the city and my teacher before entered the Academy of Music and Drama in Goteborg. Rune Wahlberg, who taught meat the Academy, was inspired by Thurston Dart. Early music performance practice was «continuing influence on his organ performance and teaching, andhe invited guests like'Ton Koopman and Harald Vogel’ Wahlberg encouraged the young Davidsson to attend summer courses (Haarlem 1981 waste fist) and to visit historical organs. Davidsson cites Jacques van Oortmerssen, Harald Vogeland Hans Fagius as important influences at this time, followed shorlly by Jan Ling, who mentored him forhis doctorate on the organ music of Matthias Weckmana — the fist doctorate in music performance in Sweden. = efour mana noch inthe syleofschntger, owred nGrgree New ‘Satur imthecty COcTORER 2019 CHOIRRORGAN. 23CHOIR, ORGAN 2020 CALENDAR CHOTR@ te Ny Be JANUARY Choir & Organ’s 2020 calendar showcases beautiful organs from across the globe, celebrating the craftsmanship and imagination that organ builders bring to the instruments they create. Save 20% with discount code COCAL20 Cee ee eee et) {& +44 (01722716997 @ subscriptions@markallengroup.comWith the focus on historically informed performance practice taking ight, Davidsson and is asociates became convinced ofthe need for anew meeting place and network for organiss, builders and scholars lke. So in 1994 they launched the Goteborg International (Organ Academy, inviting organists who were also active 8 scholars to play, present and teach in workshops This, however, was not enough, says Davidsson: We ‘were also convinced that ne high-quality instruments with ferent personalities were needed in our city. A 19th-century French symphonic organ was installed at the Academy, and a large research project to build ‘north German baroque organ was developed and but During these projects the historically informed approach required an intrdiscipinary methodology and collaboration ofa kind that had not been applied earlier The Gteborg Organ Art Center (GOA) was «established in 1995 atthe University of Gothenburg, an organ research workshop that housed technical organ documentation andthe GOAr database, as well as creating space for process reconstruction research (reconstructing early ras technology and applying this inbuilding of new instruments focusing on materials. (primarily meta), wind supply (uid dynamics) organ Pipe and room acoustics, with corrosion esearch added later inthe 1990s. | scene ores Spices ivenae oo ene OCTOBER 2019 CHOIRRORGAN 25GOTHENBURG: 1 << GOARtS firs projects carried outbetween 1995.nd 2000, included the North German Organ Research Project, in which Mats Arvidsson, Henk van Eeken and -Munetaka Yokota constructed four-manual noth German baroque organ in the tye ofSchnitger, housed {na church in the Gothenburg suburb of Orgryt. ‘Subsequent projects have included Schntger-stle instrament forthe National University of Artsin ‘Seoul, South Kores, Cell University, US, and a 1776 (Casparin research copy fr the Eastman School of ‘Musi University of Rochester, USA. to grow; the Organ Academy and Festival celebrating 25 years in 2019;and significant research results with regard to organ bung in historical styles and the ‘understanding and prevention of corrosion in lead-tich ‘organ pipe metal’ The latest instrument to join the city’s growing ‘keyboard collection ~claviorganum, owned by Giteborg Baroque — wil featurein that specialist ‘ensembles performance of Handels Mesh, which ‘opensthe Festival on 11 October. Theensemblesleader, -Magns Kelson, initiated and led the peoject to build a ‘GOArt's legacy is its contribution to a holistic view of organ teaching, performance and instrument building research’ ove would Davidsson describe the legacy of GOAR? “Uslegacy is] ts contribution toa holistic view of ‘organ teaching, performance and instrument building research in Europe, north America and Asia which has ‘been developed through a network of shared interests among persons who have carried out researc, built ‘organs in collaborative projects, participated in organ academies, conferencesand projects throughout the years. To mention specifically: the integration of organ ‘elated keyboard instruments in research, pedagogy and performance, particularly the pedal clavichor “unique organ collection in Gothenburg, that continues Sven-Eric Johanson (1919-97) Aversatile Swedish organist and composer The 2019 edition ofthe Gothenburg Intermational Organ Festival pays tribute to the Swedish organist and composer Sven-EricJohanson, ‘member of the’ Monday group! ‘of prominent mid-20th-century Swedish composers, one of the = most important composers of his generation, anda briliantand ‘tremely versatile musician, Besides an impressive output of pure’ art music compositions, he also created border-crossing, experimental musi, and he initiated musical happenings of diferent kinds. He served a organist of Ansborg Church in Gothenburg for25 yeas, and during his wholelife he composed organ music whileaso improvising in Concerts on the instrument. Hes perhaps, however, best known and most appreciated as a composer of choral music. ‘One ofthe most colourful personalities on the Swedish musical scene, and with an outer appearance reminiscent of Salvador Dali Johanson stood outasa {esterand prankster - and he often portrayed himselfas one. He was, however, athearta erious-minded artist and an exceptionally prolific composer. 26 cHoiRsoncin ‘combined harpsichord and organ, Rather than the organ pipes being in the same case asthe harpsichord, this Inybrid instrument has been made after an English ~ and specifically Handelian ~ model, withthe harpsichord placedatthe font ofthe ensemble and alongaction ‘connecting its keyboard with the organ, which stands ‘bch the performers. On the occasion ofthe Handel ‘commemoration in Westminster Abbey in 1784, the ‘very numerous musicians were kept together bythe ‘organist and first volnist visible atthe front, with the ‘organ sound coming from behind the group, Kjllon describes the aim as being to keep good contact between the musicians while using fair-sized organ tuned in ‘mean-tone temperament. The organ was builtby Mats Arvidsson and the harpsichord by Andreas Kisii, ‘The organ ingeniously allows or wo pitchesand 18 notes tothe octave singan Lth-century English invention by Thomas Parker wth two sts of sliders allowing the player to select keys onthe sharp side or the Mat side, The keyboard therefore remains with the familiar 12 nots tothe octave, without sub-semitones. Apart from Messiah, the claviorganum will also feature n'Vanitas Vanitatur concert of Ralian baroque consort musi wth Goteborg Baroque (13 (Oct) a rectal with Edoardo Bellot and Magnus Kjellson (14 Oct; workshops led by Edoardo Belot (9.30-11.30am, 14-18 Oet;a workshop led by Joet ‘Speerstra (2-Spm, 14 Oct) anda clavionganum ‘symposium (13 Oct), with presenters Joel Speerstra, Peter Holman, Walter Chinaglia, Annette Richards, Eleanor Sith, Karin Nelson, Matis Lundberg and Massimiliano Guido, ‘The festival also includes a celebration ofthe Swedish ‘compose and organist, Sven-Ere Johanson in his ‘centenary yearsand new commissions fr mean-tone ‘organ and the baroque organ in Orgryte New Church with ive electronics (18-20 Oct), Further workshops take place during the week 14-18 October, and «pop-up museum ofthe organ as mechanical, musical marvel ww choeaorgn comwillbe present throughout the festival at Artisten (the School of Music and Drama) (11-20 Oe), ‘Organ students tthe university study with Jol Speerstraand Karin Nelson, now responsible fr the ‘organ programme and esearch projects and the ‘Master programme in organ and related Keyboard {instruments in particular has attracted international students. Davidson himself teaches various classes and ‘courses withthe Organ Academy a the platform, "We are in dynamic phase of developing our outreach to the general eommunity in Sweden, particulary to children and the young’ he reflects. ‘Dueto the retirement ‘of many organist, Sweden needs 600 new organists and church musicians ovr the next 10 years. The Swedish Church offers well-paid postions with good ‘working conditions but welack educated organist, Soitiscrucial to raise interest the instrument and sits music, and to inform organist abroad about the job ‘opportunities in Sweden’ Gothenburg International Organ Festiva runs from 11-20 October 2019; bit.y/2KOgdSt Anne Page an ntemationa organ rectal, founding trustee ofthe Cambridge Academy of Organ Staie, and profesor of harmonium at the Roy Academy of Muse ww chovandoancom 4 Anew caviorganum i i eee Claviorganum ores MATS ARVIDSSON esate ANDREAS KILSTROM (2018) Principal (BID) open wooden pipesin the fagade Quintadena (D) stopped wooden pipes Gedackt (BID) stopped wooden pipes Octava (BID) open wooden pipes Quine (D) open metal pipes from! Octava 2 (/D) open wood to B natural, then open meta pipes Dalian 16 (8) canbe played from the pedal or the manual Real 5 (BID) reed stop inthe agade ‘The instrument can be transposed between 415/465He, B/D Gif in 415H) By (ae flat in 46542) OCTOBER 2019 CHOIRRORGAN 27eee aa Lerner a ee eke caer ered = Vv CANTERBURY VOICE TRIALS FOR BOYS AGED7&8 9” NOVEMBER 2019 ENQUIRIES ARE WELCOME AT ANY TIME Substantial scholarships are awarded and choirs benefit fom an l-ound Di stent a5 uns The Master of Choristers, David Flood, 01227 865242 ddvidecamterbury-atedra.on, Wenercate Priory Lirrie Matvern Hisorcal restoration of 1882 Hill Son ongin. Restoration report ‘em be dowalonded fom our webate « NICHOLSON & Co. Pret! Bittere Erde pare Jn laut a seis of re-mastered edtons of some cf thisicoi usophilelabels oat cherished recordings - begining with his porvaito he Czech composer Petr Eben. valle or streaing and download upto extrema resolution, ‘An esata reas fo anyone Intarestdintwantith centr organ ric andthe start ofmalor ew series for Fatprit. FF Join us on Facebook! foopintncrt cam Fingnonspety pple Mai Aman ‘naman othr dgtleriespen door His compositional canon is wide-ranging, but it is particularly through his choral works and community operas that Jonathan Dove has involved amateurs of all ages in making music. He talks to Matthew Power. rrorose massa ucHTstuD10 his isa significant year for British composer I Jonathan Dove. The regular premieres that, stream from his pen ae testament in themesives tohis renown partculfly in the opera nd choral genres. This summer hehas featured in the Lichfield and Salisbury festivals andas guest directo ofthe Inter, new work appeared in the BBC Proms in August and his 2011 comic opera Mansfield Park as enjoyed transatlantic premieres and another run this summer at Waterperry Opera Festival Oxfordshire ‘He has just turned 60 and received a CBEin HM The (Queers Birthday Honours this year. ‘A formative experience singing in his local church choir led ta fascination with the sound ofthe organ r wm choranrgn com Although he achieved Grade & he found ithard to learn repertoire but could improvise fry, When didhe start towrite masic dven? made attempts as teenager, but I couldnt writ quickly enough to catch what [was ‘making up; but did writes Mass fr the church chit! Pieces that inspired him at this time nchaded Brite’: Misa Breve and Vaughan Willams Five Mystical Songs. Upat Cambridge to read Music, in his final year he took composition lessons with Robin Holloway. His st lesson yields an anecdote which bears repetition: ‘brought along. 20-page serial composition for ongan, as thought thats the ort of thing that would beexpected. Wehad only reached page two when Holloway sid,"Ti bored already” Butitwasanother > 1 Equalatease wetingtor amateurs or profesional: Jonathan Dove OCTOBER 2019 CHOIRRORGAN 29< decade before I ound my own voice as a composer, to ‘write the music that wanted to hear How does Dove define that musical style? ‘Often diatonic, witha strong pulse and in which shythm plas an important part Now t does seem very startling, bt in the eaty 80s] thatkind of minimalism wasnt common in Europe ‘Work in his twenties cameas a repetiteur and arranger fr Biemingham Opera, and at Glyndebourne ‘wor wherehe was ssistant chorus master fora yea Bolton left the post ofchorus master and I was offered the job but realised that had enough composition projects to take up the whole yea, sa ~ although it meant I would be earning very litle -I decided to ‘compose! The education department at Glyndebourne ‘was exploring outreach; Dove was commissioned to Hehad just ‘write three community operas (1990 ‘worked on aversion of Bersteins WestSide Story for 200 teenagers and adults, and found it electrifying “Tewas.a promenade event ina disused factory, twas immersive and felt ikea completely new king of theatre! Initially KatieTerleand Anthony Whitworth-Jones at Glyndebousne wanted to commission an opera for schools; Dove suggested enlarging the project to take ina whole town, The result was the community opera Hastings Spring The amateur choruses of children and adlts in those ‘community operas helped to write the actual pices How did Dove bring such a diverse group together? ‘The frst challenge ito get people to sing when they doit think they ean, Just through simple breathing exercises and declaiming long vowels you can find your voice ‘Then exploring lines of ibretto and finding cifeent aystosing it~ breaking the chorus up into small groups then we would come back together and agree which ways worked best and I would write them down, So everyone was contsibuting and Iwas being useful as acomposet! Although Dove doestt use that model now; ithas given im a strong sense of what isan exiting challenge for people and whatis impossible East Londoni Spitalfields Festival enjoyed vibrant time while Dove was its director (2001-06), Whats his most vivid memory?"We commissioned a composer eis Scattered Rhymes (2006) by Tarik O'Regan It vwas something of breakthrough for Tarik, and Iwas actully quite jealous that Thad written it myself” The National Youth Choir of Great Britain is one ra andthe piece which stands out mos for ‘of many entities with which Dove has collaboratedrepeatedly: Works include Antiphon (double chit, 2015), Seasons and Charms (2016) a collection of short pieces for young people’ voces and piano, ‘commissioned by AKleburgh Music forthe Friday Afternoons Project, and global singing collaboration ‘through which children all ver the world learned the same songs, Thiskind of outreach i one way in which Dove writes pieces which he hopes willbe enjoyable for children to sing when they havert had much exposure tonew musica the classical end ofthe spectrum! In thecarlier community operas, developing the music with the children revealed the enormous range of musical styles that they can relate to and invent in for themselves "Those styles are in my head when, ‘Tm writing for childrens voices'The NYOGB boys _memorised these songs within ust a couple of days. And theyhave tobe enjoyable for any school children to pick upithe effort reward ratio as tobe worthwhile [Not surprisingly, Dove assumesa different approach ‘when writing for symphony chorus or professional vocal ensemble In August this year, a BBC Proms ‘commission ~ We are One Fie ~ celebrated the 0th anniversary ofthe BBC Symphony Chorus. He enjoyed ‘thea cappella aspect, making the music challenging yet enjoyable, Choosing the right kindof text to set for _massed voices is essential: "There are many poems which are musically appealing but which end themselvesto soo songs setting fora large chorus requires [words that ae] universal a sense ofthe voice of humanity’ significant work forthe London Symphony Chorus, The Passing ofthe Year (2000) is a deeply personal work for Dove which sets poetry by Blake, Dickinson and Tennyson, scored for double chorus, ‘one or two pianos and percussion, Is text always the starting point? Ws enormously important but ist allways the very first thing. There are often choral {exturesin my head before Ihave chosen any words. ‘The challenges to find words which wil release that though sometimes commissions come with a specific text attached, and then you have to find the ie in it torse othe occasion Dove recenly performed The Passing ofthe Year (playing the energetic piano part with the taut wocal forces of Voces, with whom hehas been collaborating ascomposerin-residence, The partnership resulted {nthe premiere this year of Vertue setting poetry by George Herbert. The creative process behind this short cappella piece was highly unusual for Dove, who had been enjoying holiday which allowed him to reflect. ‘oma whole range of thing other than current projects He recalls waking up one morning, Yo hear music composingitselfin my head. Ithoughtthis is wonderful, iflcan temember it Uhave written apiece with apparently no effort” He hadnt experienced whole ‘work coming unbidden before elisedthe sound Iwas wm choranrgn com JONATHAN DOVE hearing wasa double choir with distinct identities, one stati, the other moving Thad a feeling thatthe calmly ‘moving msi would [fit with] one ofthe metaphysical poets; that tha a spiritual quality but not sacred tex: thought ofthe Herbert poem Vertue (Siwet day. so coo, socal, so right). The extra demands thatthe words always make on a piece of music make me search for something that didi know 1 needed to search for? He did havea similarly vivid revelation ofthe form of ‘The Far Theatrical of Day (2003), for chorus, soloists, organ and brass quintet, which etsone ofis favourite ‘writers, Emily Dickinson. Her poetry sppeals to Dove because ofits combination of explosive ideasin justa few words - great clarity and depth combined witha simplicity of uterance. Not everything sa natural lyric! [ind Dove’ musical language consistently lean, yetas diverse as his scoring: evocative, re- floating, ‘minimalistic, melodic, harmonically rich, original Having reached 60in July this yea, does he havea sense of cacer perspective? ‘Itishard to describe wth larity! As [my] new decade loomed I was thinking of taking a sabbatical, bu the pressure of work means tha some music wouldnt get written, because wasnt needed forany specific concert project. Ido want totakea new approach, though: todo what Ian tofllove those ideas which dont yethave home - tallow them tolead me tonewplaces...avsion of continually evolving ide Matthew Power read Musi the Univers of London and Tinity Coleg of Musi. He was elt of Choir & (Organ fone years, and worn London asa musician and vnter |gThereareoten choral ¥ teturesin my head betore nave chosen any ‘words The challenge ie {ofind words which teense that sound OcTORER2019 CHOIRORGAN 3WHAT IS ADU Laenea providing you various content: ee on ae ec ee sc Pee Maat Unlimited satisfaction one low price Cheap constant access to piping hot media Protect your downloadings from Big brother Safer, than torrent-trackers 18 years of seamless operation and our users' satisfaction ONT E a aUr or Te Tle ma AU meld One site AvaxHome - Your End Place We have everything for all of your needs. Just open https://avxlive.icu|The 1731 Chistian Vater organ in Wieetederestoredin 2014 Henk van Eeken Treading the tightrope In the first of three features about recent restoration and new-build projects in the Netherlands, Chris Bragg visits two organs by pupils of Schnitger and uncovers some challenging perspectives on historic sound aesthetics expressive role unsteady wind plays in so From my own perspective, Ihave he pioneering ‘many ofthose instruments tonal identities. become increasingly aware that well- tury American organ builder But, while this phenomenon is now preserved historic organs often seem es Fisk describ sulficently understood for winding ‘more beautiful and fascinating because paradoxes tthe heartof our fascination __ conservation (or even reconstruction) oftheir imperfections rather than ‘with historic organs.‘Works ofart founded to have ecomea sine qua nom inthe them, Inthe Netherlands the majority of ‘on inadequacies! he wrote, alway the countless old instrumentshave been inadequacy to their own account Th , ed restored in relatively recent times, with the inadequacies simply become essentials" y a ‘governmental triumvirate of rulation, Fisk was, ofcourse talking about the : expertise and funding ensuring they areRESTORATIONS almost alwaysin good, playable condition. _dscoverysthe number of organs tohaveleft right sound, but it was only when Ie-tead Evenifconsensus about anything much the Ferwijnen workshop isrelatively small, Werckmelsterthat I was able to understand todo with organs in that country shard “An important reason for this isthat wehave the roe this played inthe “scharfe Klang” to find, the collective experience gained always invested significant timein research he refersto’ The reference here isto chapter inthe nearly 60 years since Marcussens and development. So much knowledge 11 of Andreas Werckmeisters Orgelprobe controversial Haarlem project provedsuch passed on by previous generations was .0f 1698, his guide to inspectingand decisive turning point,and exposureto _ almost completely lost after 1900. The evaluating the merits ofa new organ. Krapf ‘more old material than anywhere else might creation ofnew organs as good ashistoric translates the passageasfellows:"One must surely have resulted ina critical mass of ‘ones demands that you understand the remember, however, that brightly woiced accepted good practice. But is this realy ‘entirety of your subject and that takes many _pipescannot speak quite so instantly... Of thecase? years In Rijssen for example, wefocused _course theycan be voiced t speak more A.dozen years ago I wrote my fist feature for these pages about Dutch organ builder ~—- Has the counter-reformation against ‘chiff’ ‘Henk van Eeken, His dissatisfaction with his peer understanding nd interpretation of SWUNg the pendulum too far? historic material le him to found his own workshop in the early 1980s and toelp forsolong on the iling ofthe reed tongues quickly, but [then] they also sound dull and rive the interdsciplinary, highly scientific and wedacumented that essential process _unfriendy. It isbetter for apipeto speak approach taken by Gothenburg Universityin thoroughly. Theknowledge we developed litle more slowly in return for retaining ts theirforensic reconstruction ofthe ostfour- _dovn the yeasallows usnowtoworkina brightness.” ‘manual Arp Schnitger organ at ibeck Dom quicker, more goal-oriented way! Tworccent ‘This text throws up a fascinating question: in the Swedish city's Orgryte Nya Kyra, restorations of organs fom the Schnitger_coulditbe thatthe counter-rformation The headline news from that project was __school demand particular attention, and agains the kindof exaggerated initial theapplication of'processreconstrucion;, through them Van Ecken asa storytotell transient (cif) which characterised so ‘one ofthe leser-discussed implications "Por years, organ buildershave talked mostly many neo-baroque organs has caused the of which was the significant deerease in about style! he says, “but few talk about ‘pendulum to swing too far the other way? ‘material uniformity: pipemetal planed by _ sound aesthetics. had always voiced with _Isitrelly the case, a so many recently hhand, for example, inevitably leads to slight thelanguids comparatively high toabtaina restored organs in northern Europe would > Aiferencesin the density ofthe pipe-wall. hough not ubiquitously adopted, the philosophy prompted a breakthrough in the St-Johannes-Kirche, Wiefelstede, Testoratonofed northern European organs Lower Saxony, Germany andin the bulding fnew ones sociated CHRISTIAN VATER (1731); HENK VAN EEKEN (2014) styles. In that is atc discussed Van Ecker reconstruction ofthe 1719Garres) | MANUAL Postun 16 2014) Radeker organat Anloo thefist modem | Principal (1731) Trompet 82010) restoration in which new pipesused metal | Robot (1731) Trompet 42018) castonsand)andhisown lotinsirumentin | Oetay saz) Risen wherethevermaclarsofSchnitger | Quinta 3(2014) Accesories (reeds and Maller (the rest ae combined | Oatay 2(1731) —‘Coppelung Zu den Claviren und senes toforman organ of hair-raising opulence, | Mintur (2014) Guten emul, der durch dos Gantze intended soley fortheaccompanimentof | Trompet 8(2018) rch Geher? tasted palm singingina room which, Yo Humana 82014) Haupovened acoustically gives it nothing back. To thisdayThavenetherheard nor playeda | BRUST Compases: CDE-3 (manual), CDE-dt ‘modern organ as jaw-dropping - and I try to Gedackt Liebl. 8 (1731) (pedal) getabout bit Foit 44731) Winding Four wedge bellows (17312, Van Beken nowadays dismisses those Waldfloit -2(1731/2014)—-2014x2) achievementsas markerson thelongroad | Seagull T2014) Pitcha=4585 toanever deeper understandingoftheart | Dulean 8(2014) Temperament Keller/Bac originally 4 ois forebears cand so much eter, comma meantone) ow hel tel you, Pethaps inevitably, PEDAL Wind pressure: 6.5m though hisal-consuming focus onthe Principal s(i7ai) abjeciveinterpretationofhistoricmaterial | Octav A(731) Adviser: Thomas Meyer-Bawer has rendered each project along voyage of wm choranrgn com ‘OCTORER 2019 CHOIRAORGAN 33COMPETITION he Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) created a platform for young conducting talents by initiating and organizing The First Hong Kong International Conducting Competition for, Chinese Music in 2011. It was a resounding success and won ‘worldwide acclaim, with the support of professional orchestras, ‘music institutes and other organizations around the world and renowned for being ‘a milestone in the development of Chinese ‘orchestral music’. Throughout the years, entries from all over, the world have been received, including Hong Kong, America Austria, mainland China, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Russia Singapore, Taiwan, UK and Ukraine etc In 2020, the HKCO will join with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in organizing the fourth edition of the Competition. Contestants should have a broad vision, intellectual accomplishments, and resourceful creativity to be an impetus to an orchestra for continual growth and, development. Non-ethnic Chinese conductors around the ‘world are encouraged to participate in order to strengthen the elite forces that would make Chinese music shine on the international stage. a a 8 8 + The Participant mi * The Participant must have experiene in conducting an orchestra, or be currently studying Condueting as a major in a conservatory of music * Champion (US615,000) + First Runner-up (USS12,000) + Second Runner-up (US$ 10,000) * Outstanding Young Conductor of Hong Kong * Best Interpretation of a Work on Hong Kong + Audience's Favourite * Musicians’ Choice and Media / Producers’ Choice * First Round Nov 2019 - Jan 2020 (Hong Kong) + Second Round 26-29 June 2020 (Hong Keng) + Semi-final Competition 1-2 July 2020 (Hong Kong) * Final Competition Concert 4 July 2020 (Hong Kong) mage aigae % y as &1 The 1751 Hnsrorganat Meeden exceptional well reserved Courses are listed alphabetically by country, with those inthe USA listed by state. > Telephone numbers are given in theirinternational form. Please add the relevant prefix to dial from your own country. > Allcourse 1d include an element of performance and/or teaching as part ofthe final qualification. Joint Major (JM) means you can combine music with another subject in your, degree course > Where details are missing, please contact the institution or visitits website, Information is based on responses received from institutions Ever effort has been made to ensure ‘accuracy, but Choke & Organ cannot beheld responsible fr out-of-date information and eaders re ‘adie to check with the institutions themselves. Tile pag photos (clocks, rom top left) Organ lesson atthe Univesity of North Carlina at Greensbor; aul jacobs head ofthe Julia Organ Department; University of Michigan Organ Departmen faculty, staff and student in Hil Auditorium; Oberin Canseratoryassitantprofssar of gan Jonathan Mayer play the organ in Finney Chapel CUSETNN AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF Music ‘Courses 8, M.D P.Comp, ME JM ‘Scholarships/bursaries No ‘Organ Calvin Bowman Contact Administrator, 161261257979, somadmincass@anueduau hup//musicanueduau ELDER CONSERVATORIUM ‘oF Music ‘Courses 8, M.0,Dip.C> PIME,Comp Scholarships /bursares Yes ‘Organ David Swale Harpsichord &continuo Glenys March Contact Stephen Whitington, +61 88313 5995, 161 88303 3689 ‘musicinternational@adelaide eduau \wwmusicadelaide edu au SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM oF music ‘Courses, M.D.Dip> PME JMEM ‘Scholarships/bursares Yes ‘Organ Philp Swanton” Harpsichord & continuo Neal eres DaCosta, Alan Maddox {Contact Karol Foyle (u/ Timothy Crowe (p/) 61293812222 ‘coninfo@sydneyeduau syd edu UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE Courses 8,0, Dip+ P.ME.Comp, EM ‘Scholarships/bursaries Yes ‘Church music oh Grits (Organ Geoffrey Cox, Dugas Lawrence John Malinson, june Non, john Donnell Harpsichord & continuo Elzabeth Anderson, Linda Kent, ‘Aan Murphy Contact Andrew Hall, +61 390355511, ahal@unimelb eduau ‘wacunimelb eda UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN ‘QUEENSLAND Courses 5+? ‘Scholarships/bursaries Yes ‘Organ, harpsichord & ‘continuo Philip Gearing Contact Pillip Gearing +61 74631 5315, g cearing@usqeduau wawusgeduau/arts UNIVERSITAT FUR MUSIK UND DARSTELLENDE KUNST Courses MP,CM Organ Erwin Oriner, Wlfgang Capek, Martin Haseback, Pete Planyavsly, Michael Radulescu, Rudolf Scholz, Roman Summereder Contact Anna Scheff Institut {ur Orgel, Orgelforschungund Kicchenmusi, 0431 71185 7430 amper@mawacat wwemndwacat UNIVERSITAT MOZARTEUM SALZBURG ‘Organ Elisabeth Bigenzahn, Danie Chorzempa, Gottfried Holzer-Graf Hanfried Lucker, Herbert Metzger Contact Theresia Wohlgemuth Girstenbrey, +43 662 61980 ‘theresiawohlgemuth- gistenbrey@mozacat swwemonacat ‘CONSERVATOIRE ROYAL DEBRUXELLES Organ Florence eliére {oxganology) Jean Ferrand ContactRoland Meschain, +32250087 17 secretariat @consenatorebe swnuvconseratorebe ‘CONSERVATORIUM GENT ‘Courses B, M+P-ME,Comp ‘Organ ance Michiels* Harpsichord & continuo John Whitelaw Contactkistien Heiman, «329 2670100, registrar@hogent be htpv/cons hogent be KONINKLYK. ‘CONSERVATORIUM BRUSSEL ‘Courses 8, M-PME.Comp ‘Organ Luc Bastiaens Harpsichord & continuo Herman Stindrs Contact 3222134121 keb@kcb be wawckeb be TEV [COURSES OFFERED B Bachelor - M Master » D Dacor “Dip Diploma - C Cerificate OPTIONS P Performing » MEMusic Education + Comp Composition » CM Church Music » EM Early Music «JMJoint Major “indicates head of department (indicates visting professor 46 CHOIR & ORGAN OcTOMER 2018 wwchovandorgncom