Music at GMC

Concert: Celebrity Organ Recital Date: Saturday 26th January, 2008 Organist: Thomas Trotter CD available: No Programme Organ Concerto No.16 in F - GF Handel Ouverture, Allegro, Andante, Marche Three 16th Century Pieces:- A hornepype - Aston Upon "La.Mi.Re" - Anon Saltarelle - Susato Voluntary - JC Pepusch Flute, Stop Diapason, Trumpet, Fugue Rubrics - a liturgical suite for organ - D Locklair "...'Hallelujah,' has been restored..." "Silence may be kept." "...and thanksgivings may follow." "The Peace may be exchanged." "The people respond - Amen!" Vesper Voluntaries - E Elgar Introduction, Andante, Andantino, Poco lento, Allegretto pensoso, Poco allegro Scherzo - F Holloway Hungarian Rock - G Ligeti Suite Gothique - L Boëllmann Introduction - Choral, Menuet Gothique, Prière à Notre-Dame, Toccata

THOMAS TROTTER was appointed Birmingham City organist in 1983 (in succession to Sir George Thalben-Ball), and was appointed Artistic Advisor and Resident Organist at Birmingham's Symphony Hall in 2001. He is also Organist at St Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey and visiting Professor of Organ at the Royal College of Music, London. Earlier in his career he was organ scholar at King's College, Cambridge and later continued his studies with Marie-Claire Alain in Paris, winning the Prix de Virtuosité in her class. He won First Prize at the St Albans International Organ Competition in 1979 and made his debut in London's Royal Festival Hall the following year. He received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Central England in 2003 and from Birmingham University in 2006. In 2002 he won the Royal Philharmonic Society Instrumental award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to classical music.

Alongside his weekly recitals in Birmingham, Thomas Trotter has toured throughout the USA, Europe, Australia and Japan, and has played at many International Festivals such as Bath, Salzburg, Edinburgh and the Proms. Of his dozen or so recordings on the Decca label his Messiaen and Mozart releases were named Gramophone magazine's 'Critics Choice', and a Liszt recording won a Grand Prix du Disque in 1995.

He recently inaugurated new instruments in Madison, USA, and Moscow, Russia, and engagements this season include performances at London's South Bank and the Royal Albert Hall, and tours to Finland, Hungary, Netherlands, Germany and the USA.

Pictures

Two admirers with Thomas after the concert!

Angela Calvert-Jones1 (William Sweetland's great granddaughter) with Thomas

¹ The recital was made even more special by the presence of Angela Calvert-Jones, who is the great granddaughter of our organ's creator, William Sweetland. Angela was delighted to be invited to our special recital. She thoroughly enjoyed the music and meeting Thomas.