UPCOMING
EVENTS
23 September 2011
Luc Beauséjour
Montreal
16 March 2012
Peter Sykes
Boston
27 April 2012
Philippe Lefebvre
Paris
Celebrating 40 years
C. B. Fisk, Inc., Opus 55
inspiring musicians and listeners for generations to come
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617-739-1340
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"Back to School" update from Executive Director, Margaret Angelini
September 2011
Greetings to you all!
If you are like me, you are probably amazed by the rate at which the seasons fly by here in New England. Not too long ago we were hosting triple-digit temperatures, and now I’m wearing a sweater as I write to you. With any luck, you shall receive this before the snow flies!
It has been a delightful summer at Old West. Not only has the Summer Series been well-attended and full of beautifully performed music, but in July we helped to host a wildly successful Pipe Organ Encounter. Two pairs of students were able to take private lessons at Old West, and two sets of young players offered stirring recitals - in spite of those triple-digit temperatures! One cannot help but be confident about the future of the organ when hearing such skill, dedication and passion in the next generation of players.
In the meantime, however, we have much to do, and the first order of business is to get ready for the International Artist Series, set to begin in a very short amount of time. We are collaborating with the Boston Clavichord Society for our first concert to invite Luc Beausejour to Boston. On Friday, 23 September 2011 at 8pm he will present a recital of Bach, Boehm, Kuhnau, Pachelbel and Sweelinck at Old West Church, and then on Sunday, 25 September 2011at 5pm he will perform a clavichord recital at Gore Place in Waltham. The second program shall include music of Sweelinck, Froberger, Purcell, Fischer, Kuhnau and Bach. Since seating is limited at Gore Place, reservations are recommended by contacting BCS directly at 781/891-0814. More information can be found at their website, www.bostonclavichord.org.
The remaining events in the Series are also highly exciting; Peter Sykes will play on 16 March 2012, and we will collaborate with the Boston Chapter, AGO again to present Philippe Lefebvre from Paris on 27 April 2012. This year we are also beginning some collaborative efforts with the parish of the Old West Church, United Methodist. I am working with Olga Lipina, Old West’s Music Director, to present three “Midday Musical Excursions” targeted at inviting local school children to experience Op. 55 and the world of organ music in an educational setting.
We are also working together on a fundraiser. On Wednesday, 9 November 2011at 7pm, we will offer “Remembering Japan” to raise funds for continuing relief and clean-up efforts in a nation still struggling with disaster. We hope to offer more than music for this event, such as poetry and art, and as plans develop we will post information about it on our website, www.oldwestorgansociety.org. In the meantime, please save that date as a day to make a difference in countless lives.
Over this summer, many people have spoken to me about how Op. 55 has made a difference for them. For some, it is the incomparable experience of an organ that demands that you play it well. For others, it has been the surprise of the sounds that come forth with the touch of different players. For many it has been both solace and strength, whether in a service or a concert. For all of us, it has been the music that comes from the most magical set of 29 stops we have ever encountered. Please help the society to keep that strong. Renew your tax-deductible membership with the enclosed form, tell a friend about this remarkable organ, but most of all, come and remember why we treasure this instrument so highly - because of the music.
See you at Old West!
Margaret Angelini
THE FISK ORGAN
Specifications and details of construction on Opus 55 built by C. B. Fisk, Inc. of Gloucester, MA
and dedicated in the Spring of 1971 >
OLD WEST ORGAN SOCIETY
More about the Old West Organ Society >