Events to celebrate an explosion of sound…
17th-24th April 2010 marks the reopening of the Cirencester Parish Church Father Willis organ, with a new and exciting organ festival. Rebuilt by Harrison and Harrison this spectacular instrument will be showcased through a variety of events designed to demonstrate its versatility and international importance.
After 18 months of silence, Advent Sunday 2009 gave people a chance to hear Cirencester Parish Church’s rebuilt Father Willis Organ accompany the liturgy for the very first time. Now, through it’s opening concert series we will hear the organ explode onto the national music scene with a weeklong musical festival.
The first Cirencester Parish Church Organ Festival (17th – 14th April 2010) will officially open the instrument and importantly hand it over to the church and town as something to be enjoyed by all. A far cry from just hymn playing we’ll hear well-known (and not so well-known) organ repertoire, choral works, improvisation and even see how the organ can work within modern dance!
Following a Choral Evensong and blessing (4:30pm) the organ will be officially opened at 7:30pm on 17th April 2010 by David Briggs, Organist Emeritus of Gloucester Cathedral and one of the foremost concert organists of his generation.
During the following week a series of lunchtime recitals will take place in the church at 1:10pm. These will feature Ashley Grote, Gloucester Cathedral (Monday 19th), Cameron Luke, All Saints, Cheltenham (Tuesday 20th), Andrew Kirk, St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol (Wednesday 20th) and Mark Lee, Bristol Cathedral (Thursday 21st).
On Friday 23rd April at 7:30pm “This is the Night”, a gala concert, will explore the versatility of the organ through solos and group performances. Anthony Hammond (Cirencester Parish Church) will be the Director of Music with Paul Walton (Bristol Cathedral) as guest organist. The concert will feature Cirencester Parish Church choirs, Cirencester Male Voice Choir, the choir of Powells School and performers from Cirencester College.
The festival will close on Saturday 24th April with a gala recital by Cirencester Parish Church’s own Organist and Director of Music, Anthony Hammond. His programme will include works featured on a CD of the new organ to be released by Priory Records (April 2010) to coincide with the opening.
Tickets are available online at www.cirencesterorganfestival.co.uk and at The Fleece Hotel, The Cornerstone and Cirencester Parish Church.
All proceeds from the Cirencester Parish Church Organ Festival will be split between The Meningitis Trust and The Campaign for Cirencester Parish Church.
Posted: 18/01/2010 20:44:16
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