A celebration of the last one hundred years of the French organ and choral tradition
13th – 17th June 2018
www.pipeworks.ie

The 2018 Pipeworks festival – FRANCE 100 – will take place from Wednesday 13 June to Sunday 17 June, when Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Unitarian Church, Whitefriar Street Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Michael’s Church Dun Laoghaire will resound with glorious music performed by world-class musicians. 

Taking its cue from the centenaries of Claude Debussy, Charles Gounod and Lili Boulanger, Pipeworks celebrates the last one hundred years of the French organ and choral tradition. Over the five-day festival, audiences will be treated to a rich and diverse programme of music featuring Irish based virtuoso organists David Adams, Fergal Caulfield, David Leigh, Tristan Russcher along with France’s phenomenal Thomas Ospital who will be making his first recital appearance in Ireland. Also featured are RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy, The Choir of St. Bartholomew’s Church accompanied by Andrew Johnstone, Martin Johnson (Violincello) and Adele Johnson (Viola) and Emily Kilkenny Roddy (Dancer), in a piece choreographed by Justine Doswell.

For booking details, visit  https://www.pipeworks.ie/festival 

FESTIVAL OVERVIEW 2018 - FRANCE 100

13th June 2018 7:30pm - “The Submerged Cathedral” at Christ Church Cathedral
Our opening concert features David Adams, premier Irish organist and former Pipeworks’ competition winner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the death of Claude Debussy. Presented in the stunning surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral this programme includes Leon Roques’ transcriptions of this great composer’s keyboard works including La Cathédrale Engloutie  and other repertoire drawing inspiration from Debussy’s life and influences.
Artist: David Adams (organ)
Tickets €15 / €12 concession | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
Venue: Christ Church Cathedral, Christchurch Place, Wood Quay, Dublin 8

14th June 2018 6:30pm  - “The French Connection” at the Dublin Unitarian Church
This programme showcases a selection of the finest French ensemble repertoire, featuring leading Irish musicians Fergal Caulfield, Martin Johnson  and Adele Johnson. The centre piece of the evening’s programme is Debussy’s ‘Cello Sonata, a swan song of extraordinary mastery complimented by an array of works drawn from the musical milieu of early 20th century Paris. A feature of this concert will be a new choreography in response to the sonata performed by exquisite dancer Emily Kilkenny Roddy.
Artists: Fergal Caulfield (organ and piano), Martin Johnson (cello), Adele Johnson (viola), Emily Kilkenny Roddy (dance)
Tickets €18 / €14 concession | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
Venue: Dublin Unitarian Church, 112 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2

Friday 15th June 7:30pm - “Gloria in Excelsis” at  Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin
Esteemed organist and choral director Tristan Russcher and the choir of St Bartholomew’s Church present a vibrant and varied survey of French liturgical music of the last 100 years, showcasing the dramatic Messe Solennelle by Jean Langlais, and also featuring the same composer’s virtuosic Cinq Méditations Sur L’Apocalypse alongside works by Jehan Alain. Andrew Johnstone, Organist of St Bartholomew’s, accompanies the choir.
Artists: Tristan Russcher (organ solo and director), Andrew Johnstone (accompanist), The Choir of St Bartholomew’s Church
Tickets €15 / €12 concession | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
Venue: Whitefriar Street Church, 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2

Saturday 16th June 8pm - “Clash of the Titans” at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
In partnership with  RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
In the majestic setting of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral this is an opportunity to hear Ireland’s flagship orchestra teamed with the renowned Willis organ in an exciting and dynamic programme which will appeal to aficionados of contemporary organ music and lovers of the great classics alike. Cathedral Organist David Leigh vies for supremacy with the full resources of the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of leading Irish conductor David Brophy.

The programme features the Irish première of Thierry Escaich’s virtuosic First Organ Concerto. Composer, organist and improviser Thierry Escaich is a unique figure in contemporary music and one of the most significant French composers of his generation. “His concerto exploits the full sonic and colour ranges of orchestra and organ in this thrilling three-movement work, the second movement rising to an awe-inspiring climax only topped by the shattering coda of the finale.” Gramophone, September 2014.
Saint-Saëns’ ever popular “Organ” Symphony, one of the late 19th century’s most significant and technically sophisticated orchestral works, completes the programme. Saint-Saëns himself said “I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.” The third and last of his symphonies, it has become a firm favourite with audiences world wide and reached millions through the soundtrack of the film Babe.
Programme: Thierry Escaich, Organ Concerto No 1 & Saint-Seans, Symphony No 3 in C Minor “Organ”
Artists:  RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Conductor: David Brophy, Soloist: David Leigh
Tickets €25 / €18 concession | Booking: www.nch.ie | 01 417 0000
Venue: Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, St Patrick’s Close, Wood Quay, Dublin 8

Sunday 17th June 8pm - “The Illusionist’s Art” at St Michael’s Church
In partnership with Dún Laoghaire Summer Organ Concerts
Titulaire of the grand organ at Saint-Eustache Church in Paris, and newly-appointed Organist in Residence at Maison de la Radio, Thomas Ospital is one of the brightest young stars in the firmament of the great French organ tradition. In a collaboration between Pipeworks and the long-running recital series in St Michael’s Church, Dun Laoghaire, Thomas makes his first appearance in Ireland in a programme that includes works by Alain, Purcell, Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn and improvisation.
Artist: Thomas Ospital
Tickets €12 / €8 concession | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
Venue: St Michael’s Church: Marine Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Pipeworks Festival is supported by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council. Presented in association with the French Embassy in Ireland, festival partners include RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church Cathedral, Whitefriar Street Church, Dún Laoghaire Summer Organ Concerts and The National Concert Hall.
www.pipeworks.ie | www.facebook.com/pipeworksireland | @PipeworksIre

ABOUT PIPEWORKS

Since 1980 Pipeworks’ main focus has been to deliver exceptional musical experiences through the medium of organ and choral music. It has brought leading virtuosi from around the globe to play alongside the finest Irish performers, creating performance opportunities for the very best local and international practitioners. It has explored fascinating and seldom performed repertoire and has built an educative element around many of its programmes, improving the knowledge and skill bases of practitioners both professional and amateur. It has nurtured emerging artists and celebrated new practice through commissions and has collaborated with leading Irish orchestras, choirs, ensembles, soloists and venues.