James O’Donnell Organ Recital
July 29 @ 8:00 pm
Internationally acclaimed James O’Donnell was the Organist and Master of Choristers at Westminster Abbey for 23 years, responsible for the music at numerous significant occasions, from royal weddings to the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
O’Donnell makes his debut at the manuals of the Opera House’s magnificent Grand Organ, in a rare organ recital on this, the the world’s largest known mechanical tracker-action pipe organ, designed and built by Sydneysider Ronald Sharp. Standing 15 meters tall and featuring 10,244 pipes, its immense power and versatility, ranging from bold tones to delicate subtleties, will be on full display under O’Donnell’s expert touch. His repertoire will span 17th-century masterpieces to contemporary works.
The program: Johann Sebastian Bach Prelude and Fugue in E flat BWV 552/ Judith Bingham St Bride, assisted by angels/
César Franck Choral I in E/ William Walton Coronation March: Crown Imperial (1937)/ Maurice Duruflé Suite, Op 5 [Prelude, Sicilienne, Toccata]
A note from James O’Donnell
The program opens with one of Bach’s most powerful organ works, with its symbolic representation of the Holy Trinity, before showcasing how French and English composers utilised the sounds of the grand organ with a wide variety of styles and musical forms. Walton’s majestic Coronation March leads into Duruflé’s magisterial Suite with its thrilling final movement.