In November, local audiences will have an unparalleled opportunity to hear the rich repertoire of organ and early music performed by some of the most renowned musicians in Europe and the United States.
From the German Ensemble Weser-Renaissance Bremen, hailed for their exacting performances of 16th and 17th century music, to the eminent faculty of the Eastman School of Music’s organ department, the concerts offer listeners world-class presentations in magnificent settings around Rochester. Audiences will be immersed in a feast for the ears as well as the eyes as they experience the music presented in historic St. Michael’s Church, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Christ Church, and the Memorial Art Gallery.
The concerts are part of the Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative (EROI) Festival, an annual event that draws performers and scholars from around the world for workshops and performances, and are open to the public.
The public concerts start at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, with a recital by Eastman School organ faculty Hans Davidsson, David Higgs, and William Porter. All three are in demand worldwide as recitalists and lecturers. Their performance features Christ Church’s Craighead-Saunders Organ, a reconstruction of the largest, best preserved late Baroque organ in Northern Europe.
Concert and recording artist Christa Rakich has received particular acclaim for her interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach. On Friday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m., she will treat Rochester audiences to a sampling of Bach’s more colorful works on the new organ built by Taylor and Boody in 2008. Modeled after the work of early-American émigré David Tannenberg, the Pittsford organ is the perfect vehicle for the chamber-music-inspired repertoire of Bach.
On Friday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m., David Yearsley and Joris Verdin will join the Christ Church Schola Cantorum at the church. Yearsley, professor at Cornell University, is active as an organist and musicologist. Verdin, teacher of organ at the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp, is renowned as a specialist in 19th century harmonium repertoire. Schola Cantorum, directed by Stephen Kennedy, is recognized nationally as a leading ensemble for the performance of early sacred choral music and chant.
Ensemble Weser-Renaissance Bremen will present a special program of the glorious instrumental and vocal music of Heinrich Schütz at St. Michael’s Church at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. Schütz is generally regarded as the most important German composer before Bach. Weser-Renaissance Bremen, an acclaimed historical performance ensemble of singers and instrumentalists, appears regularly at major European early music festivals, and their local concert provides a rare opportunity to hear how Schütz’s music sounded to Baroque audiences. The concert is presented in collaboration with the Kilbourn Concert Series and is the opening concert on this year’s series.
Sunday, Nov. 14, offers a double bill. French organist and improviser Olivier Latry will perform at 2 p.m. on the beautiful Fritts organ in Sacred Heart Cathedral. One of the world’s most distinguished organists, Latry has appeared in 50 countries and is the Titular Organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris.
Later that same day at 7:30 p.m., the Italian Baroque Organ in the Memorial Art Gallery will be the centerpiece of a concert that features Harry Van der Kamp, vocals, and Edoardo Bellotti, organ, in their only North American appearance this year. Van der Kamp is recognized as one of the most important basses in the solo and ensemble repertoire of the 14th-to-18th centuries. Bellotti is a performer and scholar whose critically acclaimed CD Promenade was recorded on the Italian Baroque Organ in the art gallery. They will be joined by German violinist Veronika Skuplik and Copenhagen-based violinist Bjarte Eike, founder of the early music ensemble Barokksolistene.
More information is available at www.esm.rochester.edu/eroi.
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Calendar Listings:
Thursday, Nov. 11
Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative Festival Concert. Eastman School of Music faculty members Hans Davidsson, David Higgs, and William Porter.
8 p.m.
Christ Church: 141 East Ave., Rochester
Tickets: $15, discounts with University of Rochester ID. Available Oct. 20 at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Box Office, 108 East. Ave. 585-454-2100. Any unsold seats go on sale one hour before concert time at venue.
Friday, November 12
Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative Festival Concert .Christa Rakich, organ
1 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford,
25 Church Street, Pittsford
Tickets: $15, discounts with University of Rochester ID. Available at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Box Office, 108 East. Ave. 585-454-2100. Any unsold seats go on sale one hour before concert time at venue.
Friday, Nov. 12
Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative Festival Concert . David Yearsley, organ; Joris Verdin, harmonium; Christ Church Schola Cantorum, Stephen Kennedy, director.
8 p.m.
Christ Church: 141 East Avenue, Rochester
Tickets: $15, discounts with University of Rochester ID. Available Oct. 20 at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Box Office, 108 East. Ave. 585-454-2100. Any unsold seats go on sale one hour before concert time at venue.
Saturday, Nov. 13
Kilbourn Concert Series and EROI 2010: Ensemble Weser-Renaissance Bremen. The early-music ensemble performs instrumental and vocal music of Baroque organist and composer Heinrich Schütz.
8 p.m.
St. Michael’s Church, 869 North Clinton Ave.
Tickets: $20 (discounts with UR or student ID), available at the RPO box office or at the door by cash or check.
Sunday, Nov. 14
Rochester Celebrity Organ Recital Series and EROI 2010: Olivier Latry.
2 p.m.
Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park
Tickets: $10, discounts with University of Rochester ID. Available Oct. 20 at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Box Office, 108 East. Ave. 585-454-2100. Any unsold seats go on sale one hour before concert time at venue.
Sunday, Nov. 14
Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative Festival Concert. Harry van der Kamp, bass; Veronika Skuplik, Bjarte Eike, violins; Edoardo Bellotti, organ
7:30 p.m.
Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave.
Tickets: $10 ($7 students), available at the RPO box office or at the door by cash or check.