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.

Organ Recital in Sydney Friday 27 September 2024, 1.10pm

Brett is playing the Friday 1.10pm Lunchtime concert on 27 September 2024 at St Stephen’s Church, Macquarie Street, Sydney. All welcome!

The programme is:

  • Franck, Fantaisie in A
  • Vaughan Williams, Chorale Prelude on Rhosymedre
  • McKern. A Little Passacaglia & Fugue in memoriam Robert Smith Op.171 (2024)
  • McKern. Chanson du Hautbois Op.125 No.16 (2024)
  • Vierne, Carillon sur la sonnerie du Carillon de la chapelle du Château de Longpont

https://www.sydneyorgan.com/SSMS/Music/2024/Sept.html

Organ Recital Wed 25-09-2024 in Bowral

Brett’s next recital is Wednesday 25th September 2024 at 1.15pm at St Jude’s Church, Bendooley Street, Bowral.

Music is to include the beautiful Berceuse by Vierne, Whitlock’s Folk Tune, S.S. Wesley’s Choral Song & Fugue, and the premiere of Brett’s two short organ works: Dulciana Voluntary No.1 and Chanson du Hautbois.

The Dulciana Voluntary is a genre believed to be pioneered by Brett, and is based on concepts from early English organ genres (which included Diapason Voluntaries, Trumpet Voluntaries, and Cornet Voluntaries).

Organ Recital Wednesday 28 August 1.15pm in Bowral

Brett’s next recital is Wednesday 28 August at 1.15pm at St Jude’s Bowral. This is the third concert in the series celebrating the completion of the rebuild of the St Jude’s organ. Music will include Mendelsohn’s Sonata No. 6, Vaughan Williams’ Rosymedre, and the premiere of my new ‘A Little Passacaglia & Fugue in memoriam Robert Smith’, commissioned by his widow. It is a great honour to have been asked to compose and now play this work. We hope you can join us on this occasion to honour Sydney Organist Robert Smith’s memory.