St Albans International Organ Festival
Encyclopedia
The International Organ Festival (IOF) is a biennial music festival and organ competition held in St Albans
, England
since 1963. Originally held annually, it was changed to every two years in 1965 due to the complexity of organising the increasingly ambitious programme. The festival is run mainly by volunteers.
to celebrate the building of the new organ in St Albans Cathedral
by Harrison & Harrison
. The main competitions are still conducted on this instrument, its eclectic style and modern electropneumatic action now complemented by another self-contained tracker action
instrument which The International Organ Festival Society, the charity which runs the Festival, has had built for its own use and sited at St Saviour's Church, St Albans. This was built by Peter Collins
in the style of, and in homage to, the early 18th century German organ builder Andreas Silbermann
. There is a new (2005) organ in St Peter's Church, St Albans by Mander Organs
, which has played a role in the festival and competitions since 2007.
There are two main competitions, the interpretation competition and the improvisation competition (formerly known as the Tournemire Prize). Judges have included Piet Kee
, Marie-Claire Alain
, Anton Heiller
, Ralph Downes
, Thomas Trotter
, Ton Koopman
, Naji Hakim
, Daniel Roth
and David Sanger
. The competition is considered prestigious, as may be judged by the list of past winners, and judges have occasionally decided not to award first prize.
Alongside the festival there is an exhibition of organs by the major British organ builders, and during the week there are demonstration recitals played on these.
The main concert series includes large orchestral and choral works, solo performances, and cabaret in the evenings. Many of the great orchestras (the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
and others) have played in the Festival, and there have been recitals and concerts from performers such as John Williams
, Sarah Walker, Musica Antiqua Köln
, Evelyn Glennie
, Emma Kirkby
and James Bowman. Concerts have sometimes been broadcast on BBC Radio 3
. Most of the concerts take place in the Cathedral, but some take place in St Saviour's.
The artistic directors have almost all been the Master of the Music of the Cathedral from the time of the founding of the festival by Peter Hurford until today. The current Artistic Director is David Titterington, professor of organ at the Royal Academy of Music.
The 2007 Festival (which took place 12-20 July) featured organists Ludger Lohmann
, David Titterington, Lynne Davis, Paul Jacobs
, Martin Baker (all Jury Members) and Simon Johnson and Richard Pinel; the choirs of St Albans Cathedral, St John's College, Cambridge
, St Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, NYC; St Albans Abbey Girls' Choir, St Albans Bach Choir, Black Voices, the Hilliard Ensemble
; Sinfonia Verdi; solo artists Catherine Bott
and John Lill
; and conductors John Scott
, David Hill
and Andrew Lucas.
. Artists taking part included Seth Lakeman
, The Swanvesta Social Club
and Isla St Clair
.
Previously, cabaret events and other entertainment had been run as part of the festival, including performances from Richard Stilgoe
, Jake Thackray
, Instant Sunshine
and others.
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
since 1963. Originally held annually, it was changed to every two years in 1965 due to the complexity of organising the increasingly ambitious programme. The festival is run mainly by volunteers.
Background
The festival was conceived by Peter HurfordPeter Hurford
Peter Hurford OBE is a British organist, born St Cecilia's day 1930 in Minehead, Somerset.Educated at Blundell's School, he later studied both music and law at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with dual degrees, subsequently obtaining an enviable reputation for both musical scholarship and...
to celebrate the building of the new organ in St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral
St Albans Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral church at St Albans, England. At , its nave is the longest of any cathedral in England...
by Harrison & Harrison
Harrison & Harrison
Harrison & Harrison Ltd are a British company that make and restore pipe organs, based in Durham and established in 1861. They are well known for their work on instruments such as King's College Cambridge, Westminster Abbey and the Royal Festival Hall....
. The main competitions are still conducted on this instrument, its eclectic style and modern electropneumatic action now complemented by another self-contained tracker action
Tracker action
Tracker action is a term used in reference to pipe organs and steam calliopes to indicate a mechanical linkage between keys or pedals pressed by the organist and the valve that allows air to flow into pipe of the corresponding note...
instrument which The International Organ Festival Society, the charity which runs the Festival, has had built for its own use and sited at St Saviour's Church, St Albans. This was built by Peter Collins
Peter Collins (organ builder)
Peter Collins is an English pipe organ builder based in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He specialises in tracker action organs typically with clean, modernist light wood casework and well-balanced classical voicing...
in the style of, and in homage to, the early 18th century German organ builder Andreas Silbermann
Andreas Silbermann
Andreas Silbermann was a German organ builder, who was involved in the construction of 35 organs, mostly in Alsace...
. There is a new (2005) organ in St Peter's Church, St Albans by Mander Organs
Mander Organs
Mander Organs is an English pipe organ maker and refurbisher based in London. Although well known for many years in the world of organ building, they achieved wider notability in 2004 with their refurbishment of the Royal Albert Hall's Father Willis organ....
, which has played a role in the festival and competitions since 2007.
There are two main competitions, the interpretation competition and the improvisation competition (formerly known as the Tournemire Prize). Judges have included Piet Kee
Piet Kee
The Dutch organist and composer Pieter William Kee was born in Zaandam, Netherlands on August 30, 1927. He studied organ, piano and composition at the Amsterdam Conservatory, obtaining the Prix d'Excellence, and won first prize at the annual Haarlem International Improvisation Competition three...
, Marie-Claire Alain
Marie-Claire Alain
Marie-Claire Alain is a French organist and organ teacher best known for her prolific recording career. She is particularly known for her ability to perform substantial works entirely from memory.-Background and education:...
, Anton Heiller
Anton Heiller
Anton Heiller was an Austrian organist, harpsichordist, composer, conductor.-Biography:Heiller was born at Vienna. After undergoing his initial church music training with Wilhelm Mück — organist at the Stephansdom Anton Heiller (September 15, 1923 — March 25, 1979) was an Austrian organist,...
, Ralph Downes
Ralph Downes
Ralph William Downes CBE was an English organist, organ designer, teacher and music director, and was formerly Professor of Organ of the Royal College of Music....
, Thomas Trotter
Thomas Trotter
Thomas Trotter is a British concert organist. He is Birmingham City Organist and organist of St. Margaret's, Westminster and visiting Professor of Organ at the Royal College of Music, London....
, Ton Koopman
Ton Koopman
Ton Koopman is a conductor, organist and harpsichordist.Koopman had a "classical education" and then studied the organ , harpsichord and musicology in Amsterdam...
, Naji Hakim
Naji Hakim
Naji Subhy Paul Irénée Hakim is a Lebanese-French organist, composer, and improviser. He studied under Jean Langlais, and succeeded Messiaen as organist at the Église de la Sainte-Trinité, Paris.-Biography:...
, Daniel Roth
Daniel Roth
Daniel Roth is a watchmaking company based in the Vallée de Joux, in Switzerland. The company was created in 1989 and was acquired by the Bulgari Group in 2000....
and David Sanger
David Sanger (organist)
David John Sanger was a concert organist, professor and president of the Royal College of Organists.- Biography :Sanger was educated at Eltham College and the Royal Academy of Music...
. The competition is considered prestigious, as may be judged by the list of past winners, and judges have occasionally decided not to award first prize.
Alongside the festival there is an exhibition of organs by the major British organ builders, and during the week there are demonstration recitals played on these.
The main concert series includes large orchestral and choral works, solo performances, and cabaret in the evenings. Many of the great orchestras (the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society is a society based in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, that organises concerts and other events mainly in the field of classical music. The society is the second oldest of its type in the United Kingdom and its orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic...
and others) have played in the Festival, and there have been recitals and concerts from performers such as John Williams
John Williams (guitarist)
John Christopher Williams is an Australian classical guitarist, and a long-term resident of the United Kingdom. In 1973, he shared a Grammy Award win in the 'Best Chamber Music Performance' category with Julian Bream for Julian and John .-Biography:John Williams was born on 24 April 1941 in...
, Sarah Walker, Musica Antiqua Köln
Musica Antiqua Köln
Musica Antiqua Köln was an early music group that was founded in 1973 by Reinhard Goebel and fellow students from the Conservatory of Music in Cologne. Musica Antiqua Köln devoted itself largely to the performance of the music of the 17th and 18th centuries...
, Evelyn Glennie
Evelyn Glennie
Dame Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie, DBE is a Scottish virtuoso percussionist. She was the first full-time solo percussionist in 20th-century western society.-Early life:Glennie was born and raised in Aberdeenshire...
, Emma Kirkby
Emma Kirkby
Dame Carolyn Emma Kirkby, DBE is an English soprano singer and one of the world's most renowned early music specialists. She attended Sherborne School For Girls in Dorset and was a classics student at Somerville College, Oxford, and an English teacher before developing a career as a soloist...
and James Bowman. Concerts have sometimes been broadcast on BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
. Most of the concerts take place in the Cathedral, but some take place in St Saviour's.
The artistic directors have almost all been the Master of the Music of the Cathedral from the time of the founding of the festival by Peter Hurford until today. The current Artistic Director is David Titterington, professor of organ at the Royal Academy of Music.
The 2007 Festival (which took place 12-20 July) featured organists Ludger Lohmann
Ludger Lohmann
Ludger Lohmann is a highly acknowledged organist, winner of several international organ competitions, namely the ARD International Music Competition in Munich 1979 and Grand Prix de Chartres in 1982...
, David Titterington, Lynne Davis, Paul Jacobs
Paul Jacobs (organist)
Paul Jacobs is an American organist.Paul Jacobs began piano lessons at age five and organ lessons at age 12 in his hometown of Washington, Pennsylvania. At age 15 he was appointed head organist of Immaculate Conception Church, a parish of over 3,000 families in Washington, PA...
, Martin Baker (all Jury Members) and Simon Johnson and Richard Pinel; the choirs of St Albans Cathedral, St John's College, Cambridge
Choir of St John's College, Cambridge
The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge, is a collegiate choir of the English cathedral tradition. Though early records are obscure, it is known that its origins can be traced to the original foundation of the College in 1511. As well as daily singing of the liturgy in the college Chapel, it...
, St Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, NYC; St Albans Abbey Girls' Choir, St Albans Bach Choir, Black Voices, the Hilliard Ensemble
Hilliard Ensemble
The Hilliard Ensemble is a British male vocal quartet originally devoted to the performance of early music. Founded in 1974, the group is named after the Elizabethan miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard....
; Sinfonia Verdi; solo artists Catherine Bott
Catherine Bott
Catherine Bott is a British soprano and a baroque specialist.Following her studies at The King's High School For Girls, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with Arthur Reckless, she began her career as a member of the English baroque-jazz crossover group, The Swingle Singers...
and John Lill
John Lill
John Lill CBE is an English classical pianist.-Biography:Lill studied at the Royal College of Music and with Wilhelm Kempff. His talent emerged at an early age, as he gave his first piano recital at the age of nine. At age 18, he performed Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto under Sir Adrian Boult...
; and conductors John Scott
John Scott (organist)
John Gavin Scott LVO is an English-born organist and choirmaster. He directed the Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London from 1990 to 2004. He now directs the Choir of Men and Boys of Saint Thomas Church on 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City...
, David Hill
David Hill (choral director)
David Hill , is a choral conductor and organist. His most high profile roles are as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers from September 2007, and Musical Director of The Bach Choir from April 1998. He was previously Organist and Director of Music at St John's College, Cambridge, in succession to...
and Andrew Lucas.
The Fringe
In 2007 for the first time St Albans Festival came together with the International Organ Festival to provide a fringe programme. Events were mostly outdoors in historic parts of the City such as in front of the Clock Tower and in the Tudor streets of St Michael's or in the Alban ArenaAlban Arena
Alban Arena is a theatre and music venue in the historic centre of St Albans, UK.This place is the centre of culture in St Albans from the 1970s until today...
. Artists taking part included Seth Lakeman
Seth Lakeman
Seth Bernard Lakeman is an English folk singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, who is most often associated with the fiddle and tenor guitar, but has also mastered the viola and banjo...
, The Swanvesta Social Club
The swanvesta social club
Swanvesta Social Club were founded in St Albans, and are a British Cuban-influenced group.-Career:They released a salsa version of "I Predict a Riot" in 2008, on their first CD release the mini album, Never Mind the Bongos, which featured a mixture of traditional Cuban songs, originals and Latin...
and Isla St Clair
Isla St Clair
Isla St Clair , is a Scottish singer, actress and former game show co-host.-Early career:Isla St Clair was born in Grangemouth, central Scotland, in 1952. Her family came from North East Scotland and it was here that she spent her early years...
.
Previously, cabaret events and other entertainment had been run as part of the festival, including performances from Richard Stilgoe
Richard Stilgoe
Richard Henry Simpson Stilgoe OBE is a British songwriter, lyricist and musician. He is noted for clever wordplay as much as for his music....
, Jake Thackray
Jake Thackray
John Philip "Jake" Thackray , was an English singer-songwriter, poet and journalist. Best known in the late 1960s and early 1970s for his topical comedy songs performed on British television, his work ranged from satirical to bawdy to sentimental to pastoral, with a strong emphasis on storytelling,...
, Instant Sunshine
Instant Sunshine
Instant Sunshine is a comedy musical cabaret trio who sing their own original witty and whimsical songs to acoustic guitar accompaniment. It was formed in 1966 by three doctors at St. Thomas' Hospital in London, Peter Christie, David Barlow and Alan Maryon-Davis. In 1972 they were joined by the...
and others.
Interpretation competition
- 1963 Susan Landale, UK
- 1964 Gillian WeirGillian WeirDame Gillian Constance Weir DBE is a New Zealand organist.-Biography:Gillian Weir was a co-winner of the Auckland Star Piano Competition at 19, playing Mozart. A year later she won a scholarship of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London...
, UK - 1965 Hans Joachim Bartsch, Germany
- 1967 Danièle Gullo, France
- 1969 David SangerDavid Sanger (organist)David John Sanger was a concert organist, professor and president of the Royal College of Organists.- Biography :Sanger was educated at Eltham College and the Royal Academy of Music...
, UK - 1971 Larry Cortner, USA
- 1973 Jan Overduin, The Netherlands / Walter Glyn Jenkins, UK
- 1975 Lynne Davis, USA
- 1977 Peggy Haas, USA / Marcus HuxleyMarcus HuxleyMarcus Huxley is an English cathedral organist, who serves in St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham.-Background:Marcus Richard Huxley was born on 11 December 1949 in Chelmsford...
, UK (joint second) - 1979 Thomas TrotterThomas TrotterThomas Trotter is a British concert organist. He is Birmingham City Organist and organist of St. Margaret's, Westminster and visiting Professor of Organ at the Royal College of Music, London....
, UK - 1981 David RowlandDavid RowlandDavid Lincoln Rowland was an American industrial designer who is best known for the 40/4 chair he created in the late 1950s, a stacking chair so named because 40 chairs can be stored in a stack high, with sales in the millions.-Biography:Rowland was born on February 12, 1924 in Los Angeles...
, UK (second prize) - 1983 Kevin BowyerKevin BowyerKevin John Bowyer is an English organist, known for his prolific recording and recital career and his interest in playing unusual, modern and extremely difficult compositions.-Biography:...
, UK - 1985 Kimberly Marshall, USA
- 1987 Bas de Vroome, The Netherlands (second prize)
- 1989 Mikael Wahlin, Sweden
- 1991 Joseph Adam, USA
- 1993 Gabriel Marghieri, France
- 1995 Mattias Wager, Sweden
- 1997 David Goode, UK (second prize)
- 1999 Pier-Damiano Peretti, Italy
- 2001 Johannes Unger, Germany
- 2003 Herman Jordaan, South Africa
- 2005 Andrew Dewar, UK
- 2007 Ulrich Walther, Germany
- 2009 Konstantin Volostnov, Russia
- 2011 David Baskeyfield, UK
Improvisation competition
- 1963 Guy BovetGuy BovetGuy Bovet is a Swiss organist and composer.Bovet studied under Marie Dufour in Lausanne, Pierre Segond in Geneva and Marie-Claire Alain in Paris. From 1979 to 1999 he taught Spanish organ music at the University of Salamanca, and since 1989 he has been Professor of Organ at the Musikhochschule in...
, Switzerland - 1964 André IsoirAndré IsoirAndré Isoir is a renowned French organist.Isoir studied with Édouard Souberbielle and Germaine Mounier at the École César-Franck and under Rolande Falcinelli at the Paris Conservatoire where he won the first prizes in organ and improvisation in 1960.Thereafter he won several international organ...
, France - 1971 Hans Eugen Frischknecht, Switzerland
- 1973 Kees van Ersel, The Netherlands
- 1975 Nathan Ensign, USA
- 1977 Jos van der Kooy, The Netherlands
- 1979 Christoph Tietze, USA
- 1983 Naji HakimNaji HakimNaji Subhy Paul Irénée Hakim is a Lebanese-French organist, composer, and improviser. He studied under Jean Langlais, and succeeded Messiaen as organist at the Église de la Sainte-Trinité, Paris.-Biography:...
, France - 1985 Marie-Bernadette Dufourcet-Hakim, France
- 1987 David DruryDavid DruryDavid Brian Drury is a former English cricketer. He was a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper who played for Cumberland.Drury made his debut for Cumberland in the Minor Counties Championship on 28 May 1985, playing as a specialist batsman at number seven...
, Australia - 1991 Christoph Kuhlmann, Germany
- 1993 David Briggs, UK
- 1997 Martin BakerMartin BakerMartin Baker may refer to:*Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd*Martin Baker , Scottish footballer*Martin Baker...
, UK - 2001 Hayo Boerema, The Netherlands / Thomas Lennartz, Germany (joint second)
- 2003 Robert Houssart, The Netherlands
- 2005 Gerben Mourik, The Netherlands
- 2007 not awarded
- 2009 Jean-Baptiste Dupont, France
- 2011 Paul Goussot, France