SOUNDBOARD December 2001

December 2001

Editorial Comment

It was very encouraging and rewarding to get so much positive feedback about Issue 1 of Soundboard (and also indeed about the social evening in the Red Cow Inn last May).

Some of the comments made an as follows. “Interesting and well presented — looking forward to the next issue”. “Congratulations on an excellent production”. “Soundboard keeps one in touch with events. Thanks also to the Committee for organisirig the very successful social evening in the Red Cow”. “Thanks for an enjoyable production and thanks also for a most enjoyable night out we could, I’m sure, stand a good deal more of the interactive musical content — they were always one of the highlights of such gatherings in the past. Could I suggest perhaps a summer outing to a suitable organ, with perhaps a meal afterwards?”

So, having hit the right note, here is Soundboard 2. Some of its content is relevant to suggestions made in Soundboard 1 — such as the article about Choosing the Hymns, while others are a result of readers’ ideas, e.g., Are your voluntaries listened to and appreciated?

As before, feedback about this issue, comments and suggestions will be very welcome — and are extremely useful. The next issue is planned for May, and material should be with us by the end of April.

Dublin International Organ and Choral Festival

The eleventh festival is to take place on 21 — 30 June 2002. It will be in many ways a ‘new look” festival, with a new artistic director, many recently-appointed members on the executive committee, and a new administrative base in the elegant Georgian surroundings of 18 Eustace Street in Temple Bar. A significant part of the new look will be the artistic programme, breaking ground on several important new fronts.

The choral element of the festival will be as strong as ever, with no fewer than four renowned choirs taking the limelight in major evening presentations. Visiting Ireland for the first time will be two premier British ensembles: The New London Chamber Choir — described by the London Independent as the most accomplished choir in Britain, and Rodolfus, one of the most exciting young choirs in the European scene at present. The RTE Philharmonic Choir will perform with the NSO conducted by Vernon Handley and the NSO will also be making a second appearance in the festival with the Irish Youth Choir, performing a programme of Irish works in the National Concert Hall. Organists Guy Bovet (Switzerland), James David Christie (USA), Susan Landale (UK/France), Andrea Marcon (Italy) and David Adams (Ireland) are the competition jurors, and all wifi perform in the festival. For the first time, there is to be an additional improvisation competition, giving due recognition to this sine qua non of the organist’s art.

But there are also other innovations in the 2002 festival. A multi-media aspect is to be introduced in the use of film: Guy Bovet is to improvise a score for a classic silent movie to be screened in St Patrick’s Cathedral. Guy Bovet will also present a children’s programme in the National Concert Hall as part of the festival’s education programme. There will be a strong academic aspect running through the festival, based on the two newly-reconstructed Tudor organs that will be in Christ Church Cathedral for the duration.

There will be a festival trail, comprising a set of venues within walking distance of each other, in and around the city centre.

The costs involved in presenting such a feast of music are great. Fund-raising for the festival was given a tremendous boost through the recent organ marathon, held in Christ Church Cathedral on 10 November. Final figures have yet to be drawn up, but it looks as if a record-breaking sum of over £4000 has been raised. Thanks are due to those players who took part in the marathon and helped to make it such a successful day. The committee is currently engaged in revising our Friends’ scheme, and I hope that many will consider being associated with the festival in this manner. Details can be had from the festival office.

Mark Duley, Artistic Director, Dublin International Organ and Choral Festival, 18 Eustace Street,Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Tel. 6337392

1. Editorial Comment
   What you thought about Issue 1
2. Profile: David Leigh, Assistant Organist of St Patrick’s Cathedral
3. A Short Description of Pipe Organs David Adams’ technical article
4. A Rural Organ John Godden writes about the music in his country church in Co. Wicklow
5. Choosing the Music The different methods in different churches
6. An Organist’s Crossword
7. Are your voluntaries listened to and appreciated? How to make them listen!
8. Notes and News