Martin setchell Organ proms 2004

Concert organist Martin Setchell is Organ Curator of the Christchurch Town Hall in the Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand, where he regularly performs on the acclaimed Rieger pipe organ.

He was born in Blackpool, England where he received his early musical education, studied organ at Exeter University and Cathedral, and graduated with Honours degrees in Music and French. Advanced studies in Classical organ technique followed with various teachers including Pierre Cochereau, then titular organist of Notre Dame in Paris, Marie-Claire Alain, Piet Kee, and Peter Hurford.

Martin was awarded both the Limpus and Shinn prizes when he received his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists in London. He emigrated to New Zealand on his appointment to the University of Canterbury School of Music where he is Associate Professor of Music and tutor in organ, combining his University teaching and research career with a busy schedule of recitals and concerts as soloist, accompanist and continuo player on organ and harpsichord.

His solo organ concerts have taken him to America, Australia (including the prestigious Sydney Town Hall Hill organ) Italy, Germany and England, including performances in two of Christchurch 's sister cities, Adelaide and Christchurch Priory (Dorset). His appearances as Bach himself to mark the 250th anniversary of Bach's death in 2000, and as French organist Jacques in the 2001 Christchurch Arts Festival received critical acclaim. Concerts outside Australasia in 2002 took him to England, Germany, Poland, China, and Hong Kong.

He also fulfils engagements as organist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony, Christchurch City Choir and the Woolston Brass. An active composer and choral conductor, his organ and choral compositions are published by Kevin Mayhew Music in England. He is the founder and first director of Christchurch's chamber choir the Jubilate Singers, Director of the University Chamber Choir, and also a music critic for The Press.

His first CD recorded on the Rieger organ in Christchurch Town Hall in 1997 'Let the pealing organ blow' (MANU 1539) has achieved international recognition and featured on the BBC's 'The Organist Entertains' and the US 'Pipe Dreams' programmes. His second CD 'Bonbons for organ' (ATOLL ACD 600) was released in 2001 and appeared consistently in the Concert FM classical top 10.

Recent critiques:

"…playing of the highest rank-rhythmical, accurate, musical, colourfully and imaginatively registered-all that one could desire."
(Paul Hale, Organists' Review, UK. May 2001)

"…a state of the art technique and an impressive breadth of true keyboard musicianship"
(Paul Hale, Organists' Review, UK. May 2001)

INTERNATIONAL ORGAN PROMS 2004 Sundays at 8pm

INTERNATIONAL ORGAN PROMS 2004
Sundays at 8pm