Dear Friends,
Father Paul asked me to write a note letting you all know where I’ll be for two weeks in early May. I am excited to share that I am going on a concert tour to Sweden! Between May 2-16, I will be away for two organ recitals, followed by a bit of vacation time.
My first recital, on May 6, will be far north in Sweden, in the city of Piteå. There, I will perform on the genre-defying organ built by Gerald Woehl that is in Studio Acusticum Hall. This instrument is sometimes referred to as the “organ of the future” for the way it gives the performer access to essentially several disparate instruments in one case. Organs come in many styles, and have clear and different characteristics in various centuries and regions. Typically when an organ is constructed, there is an attempt to keep the style of the instrument cohesive so that the whole instrument can work with itself to create a unified sound. The concept for this organ is quite different. The builder set out to give the organist access to many different styles of organ construction so that many types of repertoire will sound as convincing as possible. As a result, the instrument is massive - it has 163 stops (distinct sounds). I look forward to exploring the sonic capabilities of this instrument! I will also give a masterclass for the organ and sacred music students at the University of Piteå.
Following this, I will play a recital at Tegs Kyrka in Umeå on May 10. The organ here had four manuals and 50 stops which, compared to most organs, is quite large. Compared to the Studio Acusticum organ, of course, it will be refreshingly modest. It is by all reports a majestic instrument that was designed in the Northern European/Germanic tradition, and I look forward to getting to know it!
After this, I will take some vacation time in Visby, which is an island off the coast of Stockholm, and will take a brief excursion to Tallinn, Estonia.
I am grateful to our wonderful Associate Director of Music Joseph Ferguson for keeping music running at Trinity while I get to connect with, help train, and share with musicians in Sweden. I look forward to seeing you all at Choir Tea and Evensong on May 18 shortly after I return!
All my best,
Meg