St James Cathedral, Toronto

St James Cathedral, Toronto MUSIC AT MIDDAY Summer and Autumn 2016 TEN TUESDAY ORGAN CONCERTS by DAVID BRIGGS Artist in Residence ADMISSION FREE Retiring Collection Concerts start at 1pm and last between 45 and 55 minutes All are very welcome 21st June
Kindertotenlieder
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Experience Gustav Mahler’s stunningly beautiful song cycle on the death of children,
sung by celebrated Canadian baritone David John Pike
David Pike
Special collection in aid of Amnesty International
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28th June
Gloucester connections
Organ works by five former organists of Gloucester Cathedral, UK
Choral Song and Fugue
S S Wesley
Marche Heroique
Herbert Brewer
Carol and Musette
Ralph Vaughan Williams
arr. Herbert Sumsion
Toccata
John Sanders
Prelude and Fugue in E major
(2009)
David Briggs
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13th September (Please not revised date!)
You choose!
A programme of requests from the audience
David Briggs has a repertoire over over 500 pieces, spreading over
five centuries. Place your request now! Or perhaps a favourite
theme for improvisation....
Requests are warmly welcomed – please submit by 1st September –
earlier if possible!
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1st November
The Notre-Dame tradition
A programme of music by former organists of France’s greatest cathedral
Pièce d'orgue
Antoine Calvière (1695-1755)
Toccata in B flat minor
Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
Clair de Lune
Louis Vierne
Impromptu
Louis Vierne
Toccata de la
Libération
Léonce de St Martin
(1886-1954)
Variations sur
‘Alouette, gentille
Alouette’
Pierre Cochereau
(1924-1984)
transcribed by DJB (1989)
Console of Grand Orgue de Notre-Dame de Paris
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8th November
Symphony No 3
Gustav Mahler
(transcribed DJB)
with Christina Stelmacovich
(Mezzo Soprano)
“A symphony should be like the whole
world”
NB. This concert will end c.2.15pm
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15th November
Bach's influences
Prelude and Fugue in G minor
Dietrich Buxtehude
(1637-1707)
Veni Creator
Nicholas De Grigny
(1672-1703)
Concerto in A minor
Antonio Vivaldi
(1678-1741)
arr. J S Bach
David Briggs at the Bach grave, St Thomas, Leipzig
Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542
J S Bach (1685-1750)
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6th December
THE COMING OF THE SAVIOUR – Music for Advent
Three Chorale Preludes:
J S Bach (1685-1750)
Nun komm’, der heiden Heiland (BWV 659, 660 and 661)
Chorale Prelude ‘Rorate Caeli’
Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968)
Overture to St Paul
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
arr. W T Best
Le Monde dans l’attente du Sauveur
(Symphonie-Passion, Opus 23)
Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
Improvisation
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Saturday 17th December at 4pm
La Nativité du Seigneur
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992)
with readings
La Nativité du Seigneur is a testament to Messiaen's Christian
faith, being divided into nine meditations inspired by the birth of
Jesus. In volume one, Messiaen outlines his inspirations, both
theological, instrumental and compositional. As the composer
notes in his preface, he sought ‘the emotion and sincerity first’.
The work was written by the composer at the age of 27 years
during the summer of 1935 while he was in residence at Grenoble
near the French Alps. Messiaen wrote that in addition to theology,
the movements were inspired by the mountains, as well as the
stained glass windows in medieval cathedrals.
The work was premiered on 27 February 1936 on the organ of La
Trinité, Paris, shared among three players: Daniel-Lesur (1–3),
Jean Langlais (4–6), and Jean-Jacques Grunenwald (7–9).
The work is in nine movements, each depicting an image or
concept from the birth of Jesus. In publication, the work is
divided over four books.
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La vierge et l'enfant (The Virgin and Child)
Les bergers (The Shepherds)
Desseins éternels (Eternal designs)
Le verbe (The Word)
Les enfants de Dieu (The Children of God)
Les anges (The Angels)
Jésus accepte la souffrance (Jesus accepts suffering)
Les mages (The Magi)
Dieu parmi nous (God Among Us)
The work is one of the earliest to feature elements that were to
become key to Messiaen's later compositions, such as the
extensive use of the composer's own modes of limited
transposition, as well as influence from birdsong, and the meters
and rhythms of Ancient Greek and traditional Indian music.
In 1967, Richard Franko Goldman wrote, "One is, indeed, tempted
to say that the work is a masterpiece, and one of the great organ
works of all time. It is certainly monumental and impressive,
original and memorable, with or without the theoretical and
mystical explanation the composer himself gives out."
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20th December
MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS
Including Noels by Claude D’aquin, Chorale Preludes by J S Bach
and the amazing ‘Variations sur un Noel’ (Pierre Cochereau)
Pierre Cochereau improvising
during Mass at Notre-Dame de
Paris