Two Recitals This Week

Brett is giving two organ recitals this week.

Wednesday 26 August, 1.15pm at St Jude’s Bowral – Brett continues his series of lunchtime recitals at St Jude’s Church in Bowral, playing through the alphabet. This week features music by composers whose names begin with ‘S’: Stanford, Schubert, Sullivan, Sumsion, and others.

Friday 28 August, 1.10pm at St Stephen’s Macquarie Street – As part of the Friday Music series at St Stephen’s Church, Macquarie Strret, Sydney, Brett is playing an organ recital of music by Alexandre Guilmant, including his epic first sonata.

Hope to see as many music lovers there as possible!

Organ Recital Wednesday 29 October 1.15pm

Brett is playing an organ recital at St Jude’s Church, Bendooley Street, Bowral. The music is for remembrance, and with Remembrance Day approaching, or maybe a loved one you want to remember, this is a nice time to come and reflect, sit quietly, meditate or pray as you listen to some beautiful music for remembrance.

Music is being performed by composers including J.S. Bach, Handel, Brahms, Ravel, Parry, and Faure.

Moreover, 2025 has been designated “Play the Organ Year” by the Royal College of Organists. The Director of the Royal School of Church Music Hugh Morris is marking “Play the Organ Year” by playing for a marathon 25 hours later this month, and as his 2025 Director’s Challenge has invited organists around the world to join with him in playing Handel’s Ombra mai Fu simultaneously on 22 November, the feast day of St Cecilia, the patron saint of music. 29 October is Brett’s recital immediately before the 22 November, so he is playing this piece as part of the recital.

#rscmchallenge #directorschallenge #playtheorganyear

Another New Publication

Brett’s Organ Album No. 1 has recently been published by Wirripang. It includes 20 short pieces for church and recital use. Some are inspired by the Old English tradition, and some by the French Classical tradition, and some are completely new. It is believed that the volume includes the first ever Dulciana Voluntaries. The music was composed between 2012-2024 and has inspired other composers to engage with the Old English tradition of organ music too. Organ Album No. 1 can be purchased as an instant download or sheet music here: https://www.australiancomposers.com.au/products/five-hymn-voluntaries?_pos=49&_sid=a555960c9&_ss=r

You can also hear a performance of five of the works from Organ Album No. 1 by James Flores as below.

A New Publication

Brett’s Five Hymn Voluntaries has recently been published by Wirripang. It includes Voluntaries on Tallis’ Canon, Wachet Auf, Wilhelmus, St Oswald, and Repton. It can be purchased as an instant download or sheet music here: https://www.australiancomposers.com.au/products/five-hymn-voluntaries?_pos=49&_sid=a555960c9&_ss=r.

You can also hear a performance of the Voluntary on Repton by James Flores here: