Organ Fest IV...

[KB7DQH]

http://www.icatholic.org/article/organ-fest-iv-features-six-organists-at-the-cathedral-4051554

SALT LAKE CITY — Classical 89 radio station and the Cathedral of the Madeleine will present Organ Fest IV, Aug. 12 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Classical 89 is a division of Brigham Young University College of Fine Arts and Communications.

The concert will feature Douglas O'Neill, Cathedral of the Madeleine organist, and five organists from the Salt Lake Tabernacle: Richard Elliott, Clay Christiansen, Andrew Unsworth, Bonnie Goodliffe and Linda Margetts.

"This is a great occasion with the Tabernacle organists coming over to the Cathedral," said O'Neill, who has been the Cathedral organist for more than four years. "We have a great audience at this event."

Christine Nokleby, Classical 89 marketing and localization manager, said the Organ Fest has become a popular and loved event among the community. "The Cathedral is such a gorgeous setting and offers a wonderful experience," she said. "Over the years, it has been filled with people from different religions, Classical 89 listeners and the community at large."

Classical 89 General Manager Marcus Smith said in a press release that "Pipe organs can symbolize the collective voice of a community. The Organ Fest brings our community together in support of pipe organs. What a wonderful way to spend an evening, together with other lovers of organ music."

Organ builder Mike Bigelow, of M.L. Bigelow & Company Organ Builders, Inc. in American Fork, said when a church is considering purchasing a pipe organ, he appeals to them to consider opening their doors to the community, not just the people who come for church services. "That is from the standpoint of organists putting on concerts and recitals, but it can also include orchestral music and instrumental or vocal soloists with the organ," Bigelow said. "When we think of including the community, we think of providing a place where beautiful music can be shared. The organ is a fine instrument that can be a riveting focal point for any kind of music."

Walter Rudolph, retired general manager of Classical 89, is one of the founders of the event. Rudolph has always loved the pipe organ. About six years ago, he and organist Richard Elliot got together to determine how to attract people to organ music with the Cathedral as the focal point because of its sense of community.

"I served on the Madeleine Arts and Humanities Committee and we had previously recorded the Eccles Organ Series," said Rudolph. "We thought of a benefit concert and then came up with the idea of a group of organists for a recital. The first year it was just the Tabernacle organists, but there was something missing and that was the organist from the Cathedral. It is my fondest wish that this (the Organ Fest) will continue forever."

"The Cathedral organ is a good instrument in a space that is inspiring," said O'Neill, adding that the organists from the Tabernacle love playing the Cathedral organ. "I'm honored to be invited and to be with such an august group of performers."

Rudolph said the event gives organists an opportunity to play pieces they might not otherwise have an opportunity to play. "Some of the pieces have been a little off-beat and fun, all the way from "Stars and Stripes Forever," to the "Danse Macabre," (Dance of Death)," he said. "The six organists are among the finest in the world. There has been a full house every year. It's a benefit, but those who come make contributions, which help us the next year. Even though there is no charge, there are expenses in putting on the event. The money that is left over helps us record in the Cathedral and broadcast on Classical 89, along with the Eccles Organ Concert Series and the Madeleine Festival. What a great way for the people of Salt Lake to come together."



The public is invited to this free concert that will begin at 8 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City. For more information about Organ Fest IV, contact Christine Nokleby at 801-422-8490 or Christine.nokleby@byu.edu.

Eric
KB7DQH