Monday October 5th 2009 at 1.00 pm. sees the new Kirklees organ concert series open in style with a British premiere performance at Huddersfield Town Hall.
Gordon Stewart ~ Organist Andrew Carter ~ Composer
This special concert celebrating the 70th birthday of Andrew Carter is performed by Borough Organist Dr Gordon Stewart and trumpeter Anthony Thompson with the New World Ensemble led by Andrew Long and conducted by Dougie Scarfe of the Orchestra of Opera North.
Andrew Carter’s music is performed worldwide and his Organ Concerto has its first British performance at this opening concert. As composer, guest conductor and workshop leader he has travelled extensively in the United States, Antipodes and Europe. A 25-year association with Oxford University Press has established his reputation as a writer of choral miniatures, larger scale concert works for chorus and orchestra and, more recently, organ pieces.
Gordon Stewart is an organist of international renown, regularly giving concerts in Europe, America, Australia and South Africa. Resident organist at Huddersfield Town Hall for over 18 years, he has built a large and enthusiastic following for his eclectic programming and for his inspiring and enthusiastic performances on the 1860 Father Willis organ. He will be joined by Anthony Thompson, Principal Trumpet in Sinfonia ViVa, in the Petite Suite which they premiered at the town hall back in 2004.
The New World Ensemble completes the line-up with leader Andrew Long and conducted by Dougie Scarfe of the Orchestra of Opera North. The New World Ensemble is quickly establishing an enviable reputation as one of the most versatile orchestras in the UK. This select group of musicians, many of whom are soloists in their own right, combine contemporary flair and virtuosity with warmth of expression more usually associated with a gentler age.
Concert-goers can look forward to an exciting programme to start the new season:
Handel: Organ Concerto in F
Carter: Petite Suite for Trumpet and Organ [pub. OUP]
Albinoni: Adagio in G minor
Carter: Aria for solo organ [pub. OUP]
Carter: Organ Concerto in C for woodwind and strings (first British performance)
[pub. MorningStar Music Publishers]
Tickets are priced at £4 (£3 concessions) for each concert and can be booked at Kirklees Booking Offices, calling 01484 223200 or by simply paying at the door. The Town Hall is 6 minutes’ walk from the railway station.