From 16 to 25 October the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre will once again become a sanctuary for organ aficionados as it hosts the twelfth iteration of its acclaimed International Organ Festival. Over six evenings audiences will be treated to a diverse and expansive programme traversing various musical epochs and schools, showcasing the organ both in solo settings and within captivating ensembles. Several works will receive their inaugural performance at this year’s festival, promising a truly unique experience for discerning listeners.
The festival boasts an impressive roster of esteemed organists, including Léonid Karev, Andoni Andrada, Marina Väisä, Evgeny Avramenko and Olga Kotlyarova. Their virtuosity will be complemented by the talents of the flautist Maria Fedotova and appearances by the Mariinsky Theatre’s own opera soloists, Chorus, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus.
The festival commences on 16 October with a recital by Léonid Karev, the distinguished titular organist of Paris’ Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and Brunoy’s Church of St Medard and a professor at the Conservatoire de Paris. Mr Karev will present a captivating selection of works by Bach, Handel and Widor, with the Mariinsky Orchestra under the esteemed baton of Christian Knapp.
18 October promises a fascinating exploration of German, French and Spanish organ traditions. The programme features masterpieces by Bach, Vierne, Duruflé and Dupré. Furthermore, the festival welcomes the Spanish organist and Moscow Conservatory alumnus Andoni Andrada, who will make his debut with a performance of two saetas by his fellow countryman Eduardo Torres – evocative works for organ composed in the style of Andalusian sacred songs. Mr Andrada is currently refining his already impressive skills at the École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot and the Conservatoire de Versailles.
Young music enthusiasts will be enchanted by Marina Väisä’s solo concert on 20 October. A respected pedagogue at the St Petersburg Conservatory’s Organ and Harpsichord Department and the principal organist of St Mary’s Cathedral (St Petersburg) will provide a captivating introduction to the organ. Her programme comprises original compositions and transcriptions of beloved classical miniatures, interwoven with insightful commentary, encompassing works by Bach, Pachelbel, Rameau, Vivaldi–Bach, Pasquini, Soler, Bach–Gounod and Rimsky-Korsakov.
On 22 October Evgeny Avramenko, the titular organist of Kaliningrad Cathedral, joins forces with the celebrated flautist and Honoured Artist of Russia, Maria Fedotova, for an evening of captivating interplay. The audience will be treated to a delightful programme featuring works by Bach, Widor, Mozart, Sużyński, Yanchenko, Dupré, Bozza and Alain, with Bach’s sonatas (originally for harpsichord with keyboard accompaniment) and 20th-century compositions presented in a fresh and engaging sonic landscape.
A pinnacle of the festival will undoubtedly be the performance of Bach’s monumental Johannes-Passion on 23 October. In this year commemorating the 300th anniversary of its premiere, this masterpiece by the great German cantor and composer will grace the Mariinsky Theatre stage for the very first time. Following last autumn’s acclaimed performance of the Matthäus-Passion at the Concert Hall, this year continues the tradition of showcasing the Passions, which hold a paramount position within Bach’s profound musical and intellectual legacy. The Mariinsky Theatre’s opera soloists, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra will deliver this profound work under the expert guidance of the conductor Konstantin Rylov.
Bringing the festival to a close on 25 October is a concert by the organist Olga Kotlyarova, joined by the Mariinsky Chamber Chorus under the direction of Pavel Teplov. The soloist will present a captivating selection of works by Purcell, Handel, Bridge and Fauré. As with the preceding evening, audiences can anticipate Mariinsky premieres, with two compositions by Benjamin Britten – the jubilant Te Deum and the cantata Rejoice in the Lamb – receiving their first performance at the theatre.
All events of the International Organ Festival will unfold within the splendid acoustics of the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre. This exceptional venue houses a truly remarkable instrument crafted by the esteemed Strasbourg firm Alfred Kern & Fils – the first French organ to grace Russia in a century.
With nearly three thousand pipes arranged across forty-one registers, three manuals and a pedalboard, this magnificent organ possesses the versatility to accommodate an extensive and diverse repertoire. Its rich tonal palette and impeccable balance, enhanced by an architectural design reminiscent of a Gothic cathedral – soaring pipes, an imposing yet intricate façade and a majestic, soaring voice that envelops the entire hall – make it a truly exceptional instrument. An organ concert is an unparalleled experience for any music lover; the sheer scale, unique sonorities and kaleidoscopic colours of the organ allow it to rival the sonic tapestry of a full orchestra.
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