Summer Organ Festival Concerts, Sundays in July 2023
Paul Hale is Organist Emeritus at Southwell Minster. Paul played works by Karg-Elert, J S Bach, Mendelssohn, Whitlock (Folk Tune), Franck, Jongen and Walton (Crown Imperial).
Pavlos Triantaris is a fine musician. As well as organ, he plays the guqin, a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument. He also composes and improvises very well, and included his own work in the recital. Pavlos is Organist at the Letchworth Traditional Anglican Church. He played music by Bach (Toccata and Fugue in D minor), Stanley, Carl Orff, Triantaris and Alain.
Jonathan Lilley is organist and director of music at Waltham Abbey Church. He played a blissful programme of music by Iain Farrington (Voices of the World), Duruflé and Jongen (4 pieces). The organ at Waltham Abbey is similar in many ways to our organ, although larger and was the last organ to be rebuilt by Mander Organs in 2019.
Chris Benham is an outstanding organist. He organises Soundbites music concerts at All Saints Church, Hertford and is organist at St Edmund's College, Ware. He played a beautiful selection of music by Prizeman (Songs of Praise Toccata), Vaughan-Williams, Mozart, Brahms and Vierne (Carillon de Westminster).
Alex Jones was one time Organ Scholar here at St Michael’s. He is now a freelance organist and based in the United States. He played Whitlock (Plymouth Suite), Florence Price (Suite for Organ), Mozart, Durufle and Stravinsky (The Firebird).
Jill Crossland Piano Recital, Sunday 23rd May 2023
Jill has an active concert and recording career and has made a number of appearances at London’s South Bank and Wigmore Hall; also performing in the Bridgewater Hall, Vienna Musikverein, Vienna Konzerthaus, Leipzig Gewandhaus and Sage Gateshead among many others. Her critically acclaimed recordings include the Bach Goldberg Variations on Warner Classics and the complete Bach 48 Preludes and Fugues on Signum Classics. Jill is known for her imaginative and passionate interpretations of the classical repertoire, combining virtuosity, precision and depth. You can see videos of Jill
here.
For the programme notes and a more detailed musical biography, click
here.
Steven Watson Guitar Recital, Sunday 26th March 2023
Programme (click on the links for some rehearsal video footage) :
Emilio Pujol (1886-1980) - Invocación
Franz Liszt (1811-1886) - ‘Angelus’, from Années de pèlerinage: Troisième année, S.163 (arr. Steven Watson)
Robert Johnson (c. 1583-1633) - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dances in the Prince's Masque
Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981) - Libra (arr. Steven Watson)
Django Reinhardt (1910-1953) - Improvisation No. 2
Wenzel Thomas Matiegka (1773-1830) - Sonata No. 5 in D Major, op. 31
For more programme notes click
here.
Oliver King Organ Recital, Saturday 28th January 2023
"A formidable force in organ playing"
Oliver played piano at St Michael's as part of a ‘four hands’ piano recital with Martin Huggett in 2019. He is Director of Music and Organist at St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden, and combines this post with a busy and varied career as a conductor, performer and music therapist.
You can find out more by clicking the links to see
a more detailed musical biography and some
programme notes.
’Cello Concert with Theo Tinkler, Saturday 29th October 2022
Theo performed Bach ’Cello Suite No.1 in G major; also music by Domenico Gabrielli and Dall'Abaco.
Lunchtime recital with pianist Angela Novy and Clarinetist Andy Mellor, Thursday 7th April 2022
The programme included:
Fantasiestücke, Gade
Sonetto 47 del Petrarca, Liszt
Vier Stücke, Berg (to listen, click here)
Rhapsody, Miliccio
Five Bagatelles, Finzi
Oblivion, Piazzolla