Battle of the Organs
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Battle of the Organs
After a gap of 8 years, renowned international concert organist Dr Kemp English returns to the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts for one of his captivating shows, this time featuring both the magnificent newly restored Cawthron organ and his own stunning state-of-the-art digital touring organ. Kemp brings a new spin to the “classical organ concert” with rich and varied programmes designed to demonstrate the fun and enjoyable side of the ‘King of Instruments’.
In his inimitable and charismatically humorous way, Kemp will introduce and perform a programme of glorious, thrilling, soothing and thunderous music from his three hugely popular Stormin’ Norma CDs (recorded on the Dunedin Town Hall organ) and his disc ‘The Organ is Dancing’, all of which have featured on RNZ, BBC, ABC and US radio networks. With works by Bach, Dubois, Saint-Saëns, Rawsthorne, Lithgow, Joplin and Lefébure-Wély and a selection of magical works by the contemporary Norwegian composer Mons Leidvin Takle, there will be something for every musical taste.
This not-to-be-missed concert follows on from highly successful appearances at such venues as the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sydney Town Hall, London’s Westminster Central Hall, Montpellier Cathedral, Tewkesbury Abbey, Chester Cathedral, Hull City Hall, Auckland Town Hall, Dunedin Town Hall, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Scot’s Church Melbourne, Elder Hall Adelaide and York and Glasgow Universities.
Classically trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London and now based in New Zealand, Kemp English is much in demand as a solo organist, collaborative pianist, and specialist fortepiano exponent worldwide. He has released 23 critically acclaimed CDs on the Naxos, Decca and Ode record labels.
“Stunning performance! Kemp English’s passion for performance created an instant connection with the audience. The showmanship of this classically trained musician was captivating… Definitely one of the best concerts I have ever been to.” (Nelson Mail)
“I don’t think I have ever been to a concert before where the performer has had the whole audience in convulsions of laughter between items of outstanding technical and musical panache.” (River City Press)
“English is a top-notch musician.” (New Zealand Herald)
“The music proves vivacious and soulful, and English’s playing is always engaging, often brilliant and sometimes electrifying.” ***** (Outstanding) BBC Music Magazine
Adults: $20
Children: $5
Booking fees apply ($1.50 online, $2.50 NCMA box office & $3.50 TicketDirect call centre per ticket). A merchant fee may be charged on credit and debit card transactions.
Cash and eftpos available for Door Sales at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts from 9am – 7pm, Monday to Friday and one hour prior to the scheduled performance time.
Please contact Nelson Centre of Musical Arts if you require wheelchair seating on 03 548 9477 or [email protected].
