13th June 2018 7:30pm - “The Submerged Cathedral” at Christ Church Cathedral
Our opening concert features David Adams, premier Irish organist and former Pipeworks' competition winner celebrating the 100th anniversary of the death of Claude Debussy. Presented in the stunning surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral this programme includes Leon Roques' transcriptions of this great composer's keyboard works including La Cathédrale Engloutie and other repertoire drawing inspiration from Debussy's life and influences.
Artist: David Adams (organ)
Tickets €15 / €12 conc | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
14th June 2018 6:30pm - “The French Connection” at the Dublin Unitarian Church
This programme showcases a selection of the finest French ensemble repertoire, featuring leading Irish musicians Fergal Caulfield, Martin Johnson and Adele Johnson. The centre piece of the evening's programme is Debussy's 'Cello Sonata, a swan song of extraordinary mastery complimented by an array of works drawn from the musical milieu of early 20th century Paris.
A feature of this concert will be a new choreography in response to the sonata performed by exquisite dancer Emily Kilkenny Roddy.
Artists: Fergal Caulfield (organ and piano), Martin Johnson (cello), Adele Johnson (viola), Emily Kilkenny Roddy (dance)
Tickets €18 / €14 conc | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
Friday 15th June 7:30pm - “Gloria in Excelsis” at Whitefriar Street Church, Dublin
Esteemed organist and choral director Tristan Russcher and the choir of St Bartholomew’s Church present a vibrant and varied survey of French liturgical music of the last 100 years, showcasing the dramatic Messe Solennelle by Jean Langlais, and also featuring the same composer’s virtuosic Cinq Méditations Sur L'Apocalypse alongside works by Jehan Alain. Andrew Johnstone, Organist of St Bartholomew’s, accompanies the choir.
Artists: Tristan Russcher (organ solo and director), Andrew Johnstone (accompanist), The Choir of St Bartholomew’s Church
Tickets €15 / €12 conc | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
Saturday 16th June 8pm - “Clash of the Titans” at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
In the majestic setting of Saint Patrick's Cathedral this is an opportunity to hear Ireland’s flagship orchestra teamed with the renowned Willis organ in an exciting and dynamic programme which will appeal to aficionados of contemporary organ music and lovers of the great classics alike. Cathedral Organist David Leigh vies for supremacy with the full resources of the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of leading Irish conductor David Brophy.
The programme features the Irish première of Thierry Escaich’s virtuosic First Organ Concerto.
Composer, organist and improviser Thierry Escaich is a unique figure in contemporary music and one of the most significant French composers of his generation. “His concerto exploits the full sonic and colour ranges of orchestra and organ in this thrilling three-movement work, the second movement rising to an awe-inspiring climax only topped by the shattering coda of the finale.” Gramophone, September 2014.
Saint-Saens’ ever popular “Organ” Symphony, one of the late 19th century's most significant and technically sophisticated orchestral works, completes the programme.
Saint-Saens himself said "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again." The third and last of his symphonies, it has become a firm favourite with audiences world wide and reached millions through the soundtrack of the film Babe.
Programme: Thierry Escaich, Organ Concerto No 1 & Saint-Seans, Symphony No 3 in C Minor “Organ”
Artists: RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Conductor: David Brophy, Soloist: David Leigh
Tickets €25 / €18 conc | Booking: www.nch.ie
Sunday 17th June 8pm - “The Illusionist’s Art” at St Michael's Church in partnership with Dún Laoghaire Summer Organ Concerts
Titulaire of the grand organ at Saint-Eustache Church in Paris, and newly-appointed Organist in Residence at Maison de la Radio, Thomas Ospital is one of the brightest young stars in the firmament of the great French organ tradition. In a collaboration between Pipeworks and the long-running recital series in St Michael’s Church, Dun Laoghaire, Thomas makes his first appearance in Ireland in a programme that includes works by Alain, Purcell, Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn and improvisation.
Tickets €12 / €8 conc | Booking: www.pipeworksfestival.eventbrite.com
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