Annual organ curator's concert 2023
Some of the 1300+ assembling before the concert in the Christchurch Town Hall.
Martin Setchell's annual organ curator’s concert this year took place in the Town Hall auditorium on Monday 5 June at 2pm. This is now the King's Birthday public holiday.
This year’s programme was entitled ‘Sound the trumpet’. Guest artist Tom Eves, principal trumpet with the CSO played a suite of pieces from Handel's famous Water Music arranged for trumpet and organ, as well as a delightfully witty Trumpet Sonatina by Hans Hielscher. Martin's solo organ items include Bach's great Fantasia in G major (the pièce d'orgue) BWV 572, a haunting Allegretto by Louis Vierne, and the Pastorale and blazing Final from Guilmant's Sonata Op.42 1 in D minor. A note from Martin:
Another very successful annual organ curator's concert in Christchurch Town Hall this year. Thank you to all 1300+ who came, and for supporting the Friends of the Christchurch Town Hall Organ Trust with your generous donations. See you all again next year on King's Birthday, Monday 3 June 2024! Sincerely, Martin |
Click on the file link below to view the programme for 2023
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Past Events 2022
Martin with the commendation he nearly didn't notice
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The 2022 Organ Curator's concert was a popular event on Monday with around 1300 people attending. Organist Martin Setchell got the biggest surprise of his life when Mayor Lianne Dalziel announced that the City Council was about to present him with a commendation in honour of his 25 dedicated years as curator of the iconic Rieger organ. Everyone in the audience was let in on the secret, but blinded by spotlights, Martin didn't see Councillor Yani Johanson trying to present him with the award, and sat down to begin playing.
The delighted laughter of the audience alerted Martin to the approaching award and he paused long enough to accept it, lost for words. But his playing said it all. Thank you Martin, for those 25 amazing years.
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Christchurch Town Hall
organist Martin Setchell 
Buy "Resounding Aftershocks" CD from which Martin chose his programme for the re-opening concerts. Order here.
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(To be presented by the Friends of the Christchurch Town Hall Organ Trust)
Christchurch Town Hall
86 Kilmore Street
Christchurch 8013
86 Kilmore Street
Christchurch 8013
