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Attention music lovers! We have the perfect Sunday afternoon treat for you.

Come along and hear the grand pipe organ being play for free.

This recital series includes a string of three free concerts, where Wellington City Organist Douglas Mews and special guests will demonstrate the power and beauty of this masterful instrument which is over 100 years old.

Douglas started playing piano at five years of age and was playing the organ by the time he was 12. He studied piano, organ and harpsichord at Auckland University before moving on to study early music at the Hague Conservatorium, focusing on harpsichord. When he took on the position of City Organist, in 2005, he established the annual series so all Wellingtonians could embrace the beautiful sound of the organ.

“We have a really unique organ here at our Town Hall,” he says. “It is one of the few Edwardian organs in the world that has survived to the present day without alteration, and has been lovingly restored. The Wellington organ is known for this in Europe.”

All organ recitals take place at 3pm, Sundays at the Town Hall and are free.

Programme:

Sunday 14th June – Basically British – Guest Organist: Martin Setchell
Christchurch Town Hall organ curator Martin Setchell entertains with the best of British music – celebrating the anniversaries of two great composers with Purcell dances, trumpet tunes and Handel’s Overture to the Occasional Oratorio.

Sunday 9th August – Vive la France! – Douglas Mews with Young Guest Performer: Tom Gaynor
Colour and virtuosity are the fore in this French feast. Items include Gigout’s Scherzo, Franck’s Grande Piece Symphonique and Balbastre’s Variations on La Marseillaise. Also performing will be 18 year-old Tom Gaynor, NZSM student and Richard Prothero Organ Scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Sunday 6th September – Germania – Douglas Mews with Young Guest Performer: Heather Easting
Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries and Prelude to the Meistersingers are balanced against J.S. Bach’s G major Prelude and Fugue BWV 541 in this display of German heavyweights. Making a special appearance is 17 year-old Wellington organist Heather Easting, NZSM student and Dean’s Organ Scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral.

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