Second organ concert series opens with a flourish

Johannesburg residents have spoken – and they agree that organ music rocks! St George’s Anglican Church has had such an overwhelming response to its inaugural series of organ concerts that it will be hosting a second series, starting in March 2013.

John Scott

Over the past 10 months, the Parktown church has presented a number of concerts by visiting international organists to commemorate the installation of its magnificent new custom-built Rieger pipe organ, sponsored by parishioners Nicky and Strilli Oppenheimer.

During that time, St George’s has attracted congregants as well as secular music lovers to stirring performances by celebrated concert organists Gordon Stewart, John Scott, Olivier Latry and, most recently, Nathan Laube.

Now, the church is preparing to play host to even more top-drawer entertainment with three gala concerts planned for March, June and October.

Says St George’s Churchwarden, Peter Campbell: “We have been surprised and delighted by the way Johannesburg music lovers came out in their numbers to experience the rich and resonant sound of the new pipe organ and to luxuriate in its range of genre and tonal possibilities, as performed by some of the leading concert organists in the world today.

“Organ music has been sadly misunderstood by many throughout the years, and through our concert series, we hope we are playing some small part in demystifying this most glorious of instruments.”

First up in the second international concert series, on Tuesday, 26 March 2013 at 7.30pm, is a vocal performance by soloists from the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, accompanied by the St George’s Choir and Peter Black on the organ. Richard Pantcheff will conduct a varied programme that includes Fauré’s Requiem, Opus 48 and solos from Handel’s Messiah.

The series continues on Friday, 28th June 2013 at 7.30pm with a delightful organ crossover concert performed by Ockie Vermeulen. On 22nd and 23rd October, audiences will be treated to the extraordinary playing of international award-winning concert organist, Clive Driskill-Smith of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, also at 7.30pm.

In addition, St George’s will be presenting free organ recitals directly before Choral Evensong on the first Sunday of each month, at 5.15pm.

Olivier Latry

Tickets for the gala concerts are available directly from St George’s Church in Parktown by phoning 011-482-1606/7 or emailing music@stgeorges.org.za. Tickets for the second and third Gala concerts will also be on sale at Computicket.