The latest newsletter appears below, but for earlier newsletters, an index is also listed.

NZ organ Newsletter July, 2022

Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine and their Western neighbours facing the horrors of an invasion and warfare initiated by Putin. In fact the entire world needs our whole-hearted support and care right now.

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Martin Setchell's 2022 Organ Curator's concert, Christchurch Town Hall. (Photo: Hans Weichselbaum)

At last - the book we have been waiting for!

Parisian organist Olivier Latry is internationally famous for his stunning performances, so when we watched with horror his beloved Notre-Dame on fire in April 2019 and as the spire crumbled in flames, hearts around the world broke for him and his colleagues. It seemed impossible that the organ would survive such an inferno, or escape the damage from the litres of water that were pumped into the cathedral. Olivier's reaction to this is among his conversations with Stéphane Friédérich in the just published English edition of "At the Organ of Notre-Dame", translated from the French by Martin Setchell.

With 156 pages and numerous illustrations, the paperback delivers unique insights into the self-image of the liturgical organist, organ improvisation, organ building issues, organ composers and compositions, and much more. In addition to biographical details, the book contains valuable information about Latry's instrument at Notre-Dame as well as his important predecessors in the organ loft. It is a highly readable book, which vastly widens our knowledge, especially of the French organ world, but also occasionally beyond it.

In the unlikely event you haven't heard of Oliver Latry, what better way to introduce him than by listening to him playing the Notre-Dame organ a year before the fire. Here is one of the most poignant, evocative pieces of music ever written, that of Choral no.3 in a minor, by César Franck (who was born 200 years ago this year).

Ordering from Australia and New Zealand

By arrangement with the publishers, Dr.J.Butz of Bonn, Pipeline Press is the sole-selling agency for "At the Organ of Notre-Dame" in Australia and New Zealand. This means that if you live in either Australia or New Zealand you do not have to pay the high cost of shipping from Europe. Prospective readers outside these 2 countries can order their copies directly from Butz, by emailing them at email[at]butz-verlag.de or by visiting Butz's website (which is anyway well-worth a browse through for high-quality music scores, CDs and books). We have a limited number of copies, so order yours from Australia or New Zealand here now!

Quarter century and counting . . .

In June, an audience of more than 1300 enjoyed Martin Setchell's concert celebrating 25 years as organ curator of the Christchurch Town Hall Rieger organ. A startled and spotlight-blinded Martin was presented with a special certificate from the council after the audience (who were in on the secret) cried "look behind you!" and alerted him to Councillor Yani Johanson approaching, armed with the award. Martin - and the organ - seem set to continue for another 25 years at least . . .

Talking of concerts

In the UK: Cries of despair were heard when the old favourited UK recitals website (as organrecitals.com) was discontinued. Never fear though - there is a new source for finding recitals in the UK. Go to organrecitals.uk and enjoy the delights of at last finding somewhere you can hear organ music live. Performers should also submit their dates and venues so the list can be as complete as possible.
In Europe: Europe's organ Summer is well on the way, and if you want to catch up with some of the very best, look at the schedule here for 2022 on organpromotion.de Events (not just concerts) are listed alphabetically by place. Either Ctrl +F (Win) or Cmd+F (Mac) is your friend for quickly finding the right places.
There are concerts, and then there are concerts. Nothing would beat this poignant underground performance in Kharkiv metro station, Ukraine in March. The war put a stop to the Kharkiv Music Fest, but the show, especially in Ukraine, went on, underground. Ukraine, you are not forgotten.

Win a copy of "At the Notre-Dame organ"

July's Competition

Complete this easy online 88-piece jigsaw of Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral at night to be told the code phrase. Email us with this revealed phrase (competition@pipelinepress.com) to be entered into the draw to win an English edition of Olivier Latry's "At the Notre-Dame Organ". Entries close on July 31, so get cracking now!

Random notes from the Swellbox

Anna Lapwood is an impressive musician (she was the first woman to hold an organ scholarship at Oxford University) who is making a big impact in the organ world right now. Visit this page for several links to her music-making as well as her explanation of how an organ works - a useful guide for the curious.
Mr Hublot - a short animated film which strangely reflects our existence during the pandemic - or does it? Intriguing and the steampunk visuals are VERY cute.
Fancy yet another variation on the addictive global Wordle? Try this similar, but different version called Waffle. And don't blame me if you get terminally hooked on it.
Think you might be a musical genius? Hmmmm - take this 20-minute quiz constructed by researchers at Harvard University and you might be pleasantly surprised. Or humiliated.*Cough* *cough*. Anyway, just have fun.
A seriously hotchpotch medley of 61 classical tunes had me open-mouthed laughing at the sheer ingenuity of it all. In 2016 Grant Woolard put together this incredible cascade of tunes from different periods and illustrated it with the heads of the composers to match the sound. You have to watch it to believe it, really. And then you can even buy the 30-page score for 3 pianists linked from the video. A real party piece.

Stay safe and listen to music!
Cheerful noises from downunder,
Jenny
PS: And don't forget that our organ-themed gift shops at Zazzle and Redbubble always give you plenty of ideas for those awkward-to-buy-for musical friends .