Another New Publication

Posted on 18/01/2025 by brettmckern

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

Posted on 18/01/2025 by brettmckern

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:

The first Christmas Organ Concerto

Posted on 09/12/2024 by brettmckern

On Wednesday 11 December 2024 at 10.30am at St Jude’s Church in Bowral NSW, the Highlands Sinfonia, a local orchestra in Bowral, is premiering Brett’s Christmas Organ Concerto (Organ Concerto No.2). Research suggests that apart from some often well-known Baroque concerti grossi for Christmas, this is the first organ concerto written for Christmas, and possibly the first solo instrument Christmas concerto. [If anyone knows others, Brett would be delighted to hear.] Tickets available at the door: $25. All welcome.

Organ Recital in Sydney Friday 27 September 2024, 1.10pm

Posted on 24/09/2024 by brettmckern

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

Posted on 24/09/2024 by brettmckern

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

Posted on 20/08/2024 by brettmckern

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.