Renowned organist to perform in Whanganui

Music lovers in Whanganui are in for a rare treat next month with a concert by internationally-renowned concert organist Kemp English.

Although based in New Zealand, Mr English is in demand worldwide as an organist, pianist and specialist player of the fortepiano [a type of early piano]. His solo CDs include The Organ is Dancing; the Stormin' Norma trilogy played on the Dunedin Town Hall organ; Schwammerl; and Kemp English at the Fortepiano; as well as several CDs with violin duo partner Robin Wilson.

He has been nominated for Best Classical Album in the New Zealand Music Awards, and features regularly on Radio New Zealand, ABC, BBC Radio, Class FM UK and USA radio networks. He has performed on TVNZ and was featured in the popular American cable television programme, The Most Extreme.

Mr English has just returned from a concert tour in the UK, France and Hong Kong.

Mr English's concert in Whanganui at Christ Church on August 7 will feature his own state of the art digital touring organ, as well as Christ Church's own pipe organ. The programme will include music by Bach, Smart, Dubois, Saint-Saens, Rawsthorne, Lithgow, Joplin, Lefebure-Wely and Takle.

This concert is presented by Friends of the Christ Church Organ. Mr English will perform on August 7 at 2pm.