Message from the Artistic Director David Leigh
It is my great pleasure to introduce to you the programme for our online festival this June. Of course, the last year has been an extraordinary time for everyone, and has turned on its head the artistic world that we all knew. Thus for the second time, I must apologise that we shall not be able to enjoy a physical festival this June (although we are still hopeful that we may bring you some in-person events later in the year - watch this space!). However, I do hope that all lovers of organ music will find something to enjoy in our online programme of three concerts and two talks.
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It is a very great pleasure to welcome Tom Little to perform in Christ Church Cathedral. Tom comes to Ireland with a considerable reputation as a player, and we look forward to his programme showcasing the instrument in Christ Church Cathedral. Many will know that this instrument has strong links with the organ festival, being designed by one of my predecessors, the late Peter Sweeney, and used for many competitions through the years. Pipeworks is committed to the encouragement of young organists in Ireland. We are delighted to feature Evan Lawrence, winner of the Sr. Catherine McCauley Perpetual Cup in the Feis Ceoil, to play a concert on the recently restored and rebuilt instrument in Sandford Parish church. Finally it is my privilege to present a programme of music for violin and organ with Alan Smale from the Unitarian Church. Alan will need no introduction to Irish audiences, having been leader successively of the RTE Concert and National Symphony Orchestras.
Our two talks focus on two somewhat unjustly neglected figures who have significant anniversaries this year. Craig Sellar Lang is generally known only for his ubiquitous Tuba Tune and the anthem “Eastern Monarchs”; this obscures a considerable body of distinguished, though sadly neglected, works. Dr David O’Shea explores his life, work and legacy. Jeanne Demessieux will be a name familiar to many, as a pupil of Dupré and composer of a handful of fiendishly difficult works. In this, the 100th anniversary of her birth, Dr Carole O’Connor discusses the life and work of this significant, but underrated figure.
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In expressing my hope that all may find something to enjoy herein, I also hope that we may all meet in person again ‘ere long!
Pipeworks From the Organ Loft 2.0 - Festival Programme
WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE 2021
Tom Little, 7pm
FILMED AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
Christ Church's Director of Music Tom Little starts our virtual festival with a dynamic programme honouring Dupré and Demessieux, performed on the organ of Christ Church Cathedral.
Prelude and Fugue in Eb BWV 552 Bach
Versets sur "Ave Maris Stella" Op 18 Dupré
"Crucifixion" from Symphonie-Passion Op 23 Dupré
Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott BWV 721 Bach
Chorale Prelude on "Stabat Mater" Demessieux
"Resurrection" from Symphonie Passion Op 23 Dupré
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Tickets: €10 | Streamed on You Tube and available for subsequent on-demand viewing for 7 days.
THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2021
Dr. David O'Shea, 7pm
ZOOM
The Music of Craig Sellar Lang
David is an organist and scholar, and Director of Music in the Sandford Parish Church and St Philip's Milltown. He has a particular interest in the organ and choral music of the 19th and early 20th centuries. In this, the 50th anniversary of Lang’s death, he presents a talk exploring the life, work, compositions and legacy of this undeservedly little known figure.
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Free of charge | Streamed on You Tube and availability for subsequent on-demand viewing.
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FRIDAY 18 JUNE 2021
Feis Ceoil winner's concert given by Evan Lawrence, 7pm
FILMED AT SANDFORD PARISH CHURCH
J S Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 546
F Mendelssohn: Sonata in A major, Op 65, No 3
C Franck: Choral no 3 in A minor
J S Bach: Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
F Liszt: Prelude and Fugue on BACH
Presently a 6th year student at Sutton Park, Evan Lawrence is a talented young organist, studying with Dr Carole O’Connor. He is the present holder of the “Sr. Catherine McCauley Perpetual Cup” for organ performance in the Feis Ceoil.
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Tickets: €10 | Streamed on You Tube and available for subsequent on-demand viewing for 7 days.
SATURDAY 19 JUNE 2020
Alan Smale and David Leigh 7pm
FILMED AT DUBLIN UNITARIAN CHURCH
Alan Smale: Violin | David Leigh: Organ
Giordani. Sonata No 3 in B flat Major “For Harpsichord or Organ with an accompaniment for the Violin”
Telemann Partita No 3 in C minor
Leighton Fantasia on the Chorale Es ist genug
Karg-Elert Pastorale for Violin and Organ Op 48b
Rheinberger Suite in C minor Op 166
Alan Smale, one of the country’s leading instrumentalists and former leader of the National Symphony Orchestra, teams up with Artistic Director David Leigh in a varied and virtuosic programme of music for violin and organ, including Kenneth Leighton’s masterful, and rarely heard, Fantasia on a Chorale.
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Tickets: €10 | Streamed on You Tube and available for subsequent on-demand viewing for 7 days.
SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2020
Dr Carole O'Connor 7pm
ZOOM
The Music of Jeanne Demessieux
Carole is an organist and scholar, and director of the long running recital series in St Michael’s Church, Dun Laoghaire. Her research interests focus on French organ music of the first half of the 20th century. Here she explores the life and work of Jeanne Demessieux, one of the most celebrated pupils of Dupré, who was born 100 years ago.
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Free of charge | Streamed on You Tube and availability for subsequent on-demand viewing.
