Blog Archives

The 20th Spire will take place on 30th November 2024 at St. John’s, Gdansk, Poland

October 28, 2024 » Permalink: The 20th Spire will take place on 30th November 2024 at St. John’s, Gdansk, Poland

NCK – Centrum św. Jana

Spire at St John

Kiedy: 30.11.2024 g. 19:00 Gdzie: Centrum św. Jana Bilety: 40 – 50 zł/ osobę, dostępne wkrótce Jest to już dwudziesta odsłona międzynarodowego cyklu Spire, poświęconego organom – monumentalnemu…

Charles Matthews
Marcus Davidson
Resina (Karolina Rec)

Bilety: 40 – 50 zł/ osobę, dostępne wkrótce

Jest to już dwudziesta odsłona międzynarodowego cyklu Spire, poświęconego organom – monumentalnemu instrumentowi, który w tym projekcie odkrywa swoje zupełnie nowe oblicze. Spire (z ang. Iglica) zapoczątkowany przez organistę Charlesa Matthewsa i kuratora Mike’a Hardinga, przesuwa granice tradycyjnego brzmienia organów, łącząc ich dźwięk z nowoczesnymi technologiami i instrumentarium. To wydarzenie dla miłośników nieoczywistej muzyki elektronicznej i organowej. Odbędzie się ono w magicznej przestrzeni Kościoła Św. Jana w Gdańsku. Oprócz klawiszy będzie można usłyszeć m.in. dysonanse, klastry, dronowe tekstury, czy też preparowaną gitarę elektryczną. Nowoczesne instrumenty używane przez wyselekcjonowanych muzyków nadadzą dla wielowiekowego instrumentu nowych jakości.

Spire 10 | Ted Reichman “Orgelwerke”

January 20, 2023 » Permalink: Spire 10 | Ted Reichman “Orgelwerke”

DL – 4 tracks – 39:38

Release date: Friday 20th January 2023

Available to order now

Track listing:

1. fond du lac
2. rondo
3. american dream
4. geisterorchester

Photography & design by Jon Wozencroft
Mastered by Simon Scott @ SPS

Orgelwerke began when composer Ted Reichman picked up a pile of rare organ vinyl from a library’s discard box. As he listened to this forgotten music late at night, he developed a process of transformation. He digitized them, turning them into loops and gestures, then reshaped them with tape, broken amplifiers and analogue echo boxes. It became something like a ritual, an exhumation of long-unheard music reanimated as glacial drones and ghostly symphonic movements — the sound of the cathedral transmuted into an enveloping shadow of pulsation, echo and glitch.

Ted Reichman composes electro-acoustic music, open-form pieces for improvising musicians, and film music. His long career in music goes back to his first recordings with Anthony Braxton in the early 1990s and his deep involvement in New York’s music community in the 2000’s. He was the original curator at Tonic on the Lower East Side of NYC, which became one of the world’s crucial venues for avant-garde music. He has made recordings for Tzadik, Skirl, and Tripticks Tapes, and produced and mixed albums for Wendy Eisenberg, Steven Long, Lina Tullgren/Alec Toku Whiting and many other experimental musicians. His film scores include Rick (with Bill Pullman and Sandra Oh), The Memory Thief, and the award winning documentaries Dear Mandela and Missing In Brooks County. He has been on the faculty of the Jazz Studies and Contemporary Musical Arts departments at the New England Conservatory of Music for over ten years, where he has developed a new curriculum on recording.

credits:

Recorded and mixed at Subtext Sound System
Thanks to Jason Coleman, Steve Long, Alec Toku Whiting, Tyler Gilmore and all at the MIT Radio Society

Spire 7.2 – Bis dat

March 31, 2022 » Permalink: Spire 7.2 – Bis dat

Various Artists – Bis dat [Spire 7.2]
Digital only – 8 tracks – over 100 minutes of music!

Available to pre-order now on Bandcamp | theeternalchord.bandcamp.com/album/bis-dat
Release date 6th May 2022

Reviewed by Mat Smith of Further. here

Track listing:

1. Zachary Paul – Sunken Cathedral 13:52
2. Faith Coloccia – Voice lV Sarcode 15:47
3. BJNilsen – Pressurised 15:40
4. Alcibiades – Omicronology 10:40
5. Yenting Hsu – Summer whisper 4:38
6. Rhodri Davies – HAARP 31:53
7. strom|morts – Absolute Magnitude Hermeticism 9:37
8. The Eternal Chord – Omnia transeunt 5:51 *This track released with pre-order

Photo taken on July 11, 1989 by Daniel Blau at Cave No.15 along Kaaha-Halapepe trail, Kau, Hawaii, elevation 109m above sea level, 325 degree N to Hilina Pali outlook © Daniel Blau, Salzburg

Dedicated to Didier Séverin of strom|morts, who left us too early.

After ‘Mutatis mutandis’ [Spire 7.1, 2020], ‘Bis dat’, meaning ‘Give more’, features 7 exclusive new compositions, using source material from ‘Semper Liber’, the album from The Eternal Chord collective of musicians (or not…)… Immersive and compelling, challenging and seductive, ‘Bis dat’ expands the organ repertoire into new territory, earthly and unearthly, past and present.

Zachary Paul’s violin and electronics plunge into the deep and he reimagines a drowned world, the spire still resplendent as creatures take up their new home; Faith Coloccia (mammifer, SIGE) continues her voice explorations and takes us to the skies, seeking the thermals – beyond the planets, even – while BJNilsen rams home the power of the beast (the organ was above all an instrument of clerical authority), a blistering piece using organ samples from Henry Willis’s Union Chapel organ in London. Alcibiades (Jay Glass Dubs & venoztks) combine Balkanology with organ samples to create a haunting, swirling miasmic oracle, and Yen-Ting Hsu guides us to gentler pastures with ’Summer whisper’. But danger lurks therein – we know what’s coming and there are always storms close by – and Rhodri Davies reminds us you can’t tame the beast, merely accompany and marvel. His unaccompanied harp fought the sounds of building reconstruction at his location – we don’t control these things, merely adapt and struggle on. strom|morts (swiss post-metal veterans) present a rich, massive alpine and wise gloom of sonics. And to finish the journey, or more likely start it, The Eternal Chord’s ‘Omnia transeunt’ is impossible to pin down and grasp firmly where it is – and where it might go! Plucked from the ether and moulded into a tuneful (at times) trip into another atmosphere. Let’s Go!

Spire 7.1 – Mutatis mutandis

September 20, 2020 » Permalink: Spire 7.1 – Mutatis mutandis

12 tracks – DL + pdf – 1:42:06

Available on Bandcamp 4th September 2020
Release date: 4th September 2020

Track listing:

1. Olivia Block – Flue 09:17
2. Marta De Pascalis – Alexandria 08:30
3. Richard Chartier – State 08:32
4. Faith Coloccia – Voice 1 Grapheme 07:55
5. Daniel Menche – Minimal 11:09
6. Jiyeon Kim – Organ Tapes 1 05:48
7. Philip Jeck – 75 bus 07:24
8. Dahra – Abadan (Perpetuum) 11:00
9. Orphax – Aeternus 12:54
10. Jiyeon Kim – Organ Tapes 2 06:40
11. Fennesz – Crystal Canyons 04:44
12. Faith Coloccia – Artifacts (bonus)

This album is released on Bandcamp Day; Touch will pay all receipts to the artists; any donations above that will go to support the label

featuring 12 exclusive new compositions, using source material from Semper Liber by:

Fennesz, Faith Coloccia (inc. bonus track), Richard Chartier, Philip Jeck, Orphax, Olivia Block, Jiyeon Kim, Dahra, Daniel Menche & Marta de Pascalis [UK, USA, Senegal, South Korea, Italy, Netherlands, Austria]

Liminal organ

Immersive and compelling, Mutatis Mutandis expands the organ repertoire into new territory, with influences from Senegalese traditional folk music, modern composition, classical organ, pop and electronic music.

The 4 colour plates by the art historian and author Sydney Russell show cave art from 4 to 6 thousand years ago. Taken in Brazil on one of several expeditions she made around the world, these highly emotional works reveal the sophistication and ageless quality of the imagination of the peoples who were expressing themselves at this time; they have been slow to reveal their beauty to us, having survived all weathers; their acoustic soundtrack unfolds slowly, submersive and involving.

Sydney Russell writes: “These photographs were taken in 1976 in Brazil. We eventually obtained minimum radio carbon datings for levels covering the paintings from approximately 3750-2500 BCE. They originate from the rock shelter sites of Sucupira, (Lagoa Santa) and Lapa do Cipo (Santana do Riacho), near Minas Gerais and Quadrillas (Montalvania), Bahia.”

Spire 8 – Charles Matthews “Live at Chichester Cathedral”

October 5, 2019 » Permalink: Spire 8 – Charles Matthews “Live at Chichester Cathedral”

The 19th Spire took place on 7th September 2019 at Chichester Cathedral, and was produced by Iklectik. These tracks, all performed by Charles Matthews, were recorded by Isa Ferri of Iklectik and mixed by Jeff Ardron (Saint Austral Sound), to whom grateful thanks are due.

https://theeternalchord.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-chichester-cathedral

Photo: Jon Wozencroft

The 19th Spire took place on 7th September 2019 at Chichester Cathedral

April 17, 2019 » Permalink: The 19th Spire took place on 7th September 2019 at Chichester Cathedral

IKLECTIK presents Spire live

Programme – 8 to 915pm:

*”Estampie”, from the Robertsbridge Codex
Claire M Singer – “Wrangham”
The Eternal Chord l
*J.S. Bach: “Pièce d’orgue” (Fantasia in G major)
Claire M Singer – “Diobaig”
Claire M Singer – “Dhachaigh” *World Premier*
The Eternal Chord ll
*Nicholas Scott-Burt: “Keep Silence”, from Paraphrases
*Deszo Antallfy-Zsiross – “Sketches on Negro Spiritual Songs”
Claire M Singer – “Solas”
The Eternal Chord lll
*Muffat: “Ciacona”
*Saint-Saëns (arranged for organ solo by David Briggs) – “Finale”, from Symphony no. 3

*played by Charles Matthews

The 18th Spire took place on 6th April 2019 in Athens

December 29, 2018 » Permalink: The 18th Spire took place on 6th April 2019 in Athens

with

Charles Matthews
Claire M Singer
Sohrab

& The Eternal Chord

In its ninth year, Borderline, the most adventurous music festival in Athens, returns more timely than ever. The Onassis Stegi, in collaboration with the Irtijal Festival of experimental music in Beirut, brings us the most contemporary and avant-garde sounds of the international musical stage, in concerts, dj sets, screenings, and talks.

German Evangelical Church, Sina 66, Athens
8-10PM 6/04/19

The Organ: A Modern Classic

April 3, 2017 » Permalink: The Organ: A Modern Classic

Premiering exclusively via The Wire, the documentary looks at the use of the organ in contemporary music

The Organ: A Modern Classic aims to highlights the various ways in which artists such as Squarepusher, Anna Von Hausswolff and Oneohtrix Point Never are adapting the instrument for contemporary music.

Created by music, art and culture platform Cone Magazine, the documentary “explores the social and political barriers that artists and composers may face when trying to work with the organ, and delves deep into the anatomy of the instrument”.

The Organ features contributions from award winning composer Craig Armstrong, organist Jamie McVinnie, the London Contemporary Orchestra, composer/sound artist Bill Thompson, and founder of the Organ Reframed festival and composer Claire M Singer.

Watch the documentary here

Meukusma Festival | Eupen, Belgium 8-10.09.2017

March 22, 2017 » Permalink: Meukusma Festival | Eupen, Belgium 8-10.09.2017

The Friedenskirche, a church in Eupen, hosted to the “Touch Presents…” program, featuring two organ concerts by Claire M. Singer and The Eternal Chord and a live performance by Philip Jeck. Claire M. Singer’s 2016 debut Solas spans 14 years of her work in acoustic and electronic composition. Together with Mike Harding, she is also a member of The Eternal Chord, a project that focuses on the sonic power of the organ. Philip Jeck started working with record players and electronic instrumentation in the 80s and is renowned for his soundtracks, music for theatre and dance companies and solo concert work.

Spire at Union Chapel | NTS Radio 2 14th December 2016

December 14, 2016 » Permalink: Spire at Union Chapel | NTS Radio 2 14th December 2016

Tonight at 10pm London time… broadcasting recordings made at Union Chapel on 8th October 2016, featuring Philip Jeck, Simon Scott, Charles Matthews, Claire M Singer & The Eternal Chord

nts.live/schedule/2

Organ reframed revisited

October 12, 2016 » Permalink: Organ reframed revisited

You can read reviews and hear podcasts of Organ reframed:

Pipe dreams: the line of best fit

NTS2 Radio with Simon Scott & Mike Harding

rte hosted by Luke Clancy

Spire live on NTS Radio | 7th October 2016

October 5, 2016 » Permalink: Spire live on NTS Radio | 7th October 2016

organ-reframed-art1

Download

August 12, 2016 » Permalink: Download

Many recordings from Spire live performances have been posted on our Bandcamp page

Here are some others you can listen to:

The Robertsbridge Codex:

Charles Matthews: Philippe de Vitry: Adesto-Firmissime-Alleluia (anonymous keyboard version from the Robertsbridge Codex, c.1360) [Spire Live in Union Chapel, 2016]

The Eternal Chord

July 25, 2016 » Permalink: The Eternal Chord

01

There is no “correct” way to play the organ. Of course, there are strong and long traditions of how it should be played and by whom, but in the realm of time these rules count for nothing. The instrument has the largest frequency range of any acoustic instrument, and this unique aspect grants great freedom to the players. ALL STOPS OUT!!!

Based on an idea by Mike Harding which grew out of the Spire project, any number of players from two upwards can perform this majestic piece. Hildur Gudnadottir, Anna von Hausswolff, Maia Urstad, Marcus Davidson, Charles Matthews and others have all played alongside to offer various renditions of The Eternal Chord.

You can hear recordings made during Spire events here

 

Spire

July 25, 2016 » Permalink: Spire

Spire, an experimental music programme for organ and electronic works, pushes the envelope for which this most traditional of instruments is used. The organ has the greatest frequency range of any acoustic instrument, but this is rarely exploited; the unique sound of the mechanical organ has often been limited and controlled and Spire aims to liberate it from its history without denying that history.

The programme is carefully curated by Charles Matthews, organist, and Mike Harding, creative producer; combining organ works ancient (The Robertsbridge Codex) and modern (Scelsi & others). Other performers use the organ and organ works as a basis for their own compositions, using piano, voice, record players, samplers and other electronic devices.

Spire has been performed at Lincoln Cathedral, York Minster, Geneva Cathedral and many other unique places.

Spire on Bandcamp

The 17th Spire took place on 8th October 2016 in London

July 22, 2016 » Permalink: The 17th Spire took place on 8th October 2016 in London

The 17th Spire took place at Union Chapel, London on 8th October 2016 as part of the ORGAN reframed Festival (7-9 October 2016)

The Union Chapel Organ Project and Touch are proud to present…

Spire
Union Chapel, London
700pm – 1030pm Saturday October 8th 2016

Spire: organ works past present & future performed by

Charles Matthews (organ)
Philip Jeck (turntables)
Fennesz (organ & electronics)
Simon Scott (Electronics)
John Beaumont (Tenor)
Claire M Singer (Organ & electronics)
The Eternal Chord (Organ)

Continue reading →

Spire Live Full Programmes | 2004-2019+

July 22, 2016 » Permalink: Spire Live Full Programmes | 2004-2019+

19. Spire Live at Chichester Cathedral, Chichester 7th September 2019

Charles Matthews
Claire M Singer
The Eternal Chord

*”Estampie”, from the Robertsbridge Codex (this dates from the 14th C)
Claire M Singer – “Wrangham”
The Eternal Chord l
*J.S. Bach: “Pièce d’orgue” (Fantasia in G major)
Claire M Singer – “Diobaig”
Claire M Singer – “Dhachaigh” *World Premier*
The Eternal Chord ll
*Nicholas Scott-Burt: “Keep Silence”, from Paraphrases
*Deszo Antallfy-Zsiross – “Sketches on Negro Spiritual Songs”
Claire M Singer – “Solas”
The Eternal Chord lll
*Muffat: “Ciacona”
*Saint-Saëns (arranged for organ solo by David Briggs) – “Finale”, from Symphony no. 3

*played by Charles Matthews

18. Spire Live at The German Evangelical Church, Athens 6th April 2019

8-10pm

Estampie [from the Robertsbridge Codex] (organ solo played by Charles Matthews)
Claire M Singer – Wrangham | Diobaig | Solas

pause

Philip Glass – Music in Fifths l (organ solo played by Charles Matthews)
The Eternal Chord – Organologos (Improvised organ duet played by Mike Harding & Claire M Singer)
Janácek: Organ Solo from Glagolitic Mass (played by Charles Matthews)
Antallfy-Zsiross Dezső: Sketches on Negro Spiritual Songs (organ solo played by Charles Matthews)
Anargyros Deniozos – Points and Lines (organ solo)

pause

Sohrab (solo electronics)
Arvo Pärt: Annum per annum (organ solo played by Charles Matthews)

YorkWindow

17. Spire Live at Union Chapel, London 8th October 2016

7-1030pm

Part One (7-845pm)

Charles Matthews from The Robertsbridge Codex (organ)
Simon Scott (organ and laptop)
The Eternal Chord (organ) with John Beaumont (voice)
Charles Matthews – Stasis: Wastelands of Sleep from Andrew Glover-Whitley’s Symphony no.4 (organ)
Philip Jeck (turntables)
Charles Matthews plays Philip Glass: Music in Fifths (organ)

Interval – John Beaumont (voice)

Part Two (9-1030pm)

Fennesz (guitar and laptop)
Claire M Singer – The Molendinar (organ)
The Spire Ensemble – Peace in D minor
Charles Matthews plays Charles Camilleri “Sonata Semplice” (piano)

16. Spire Live in Cambridge 26th February 2016
5-9pm

Intro: Charles Matthews plays Philip Glass “Music in Fifths” (Organ)
Charles Matthews plays The Robertsbridge Codex – extracts (Piano)
Simon Scott (Stage)
Charles Matthews plays Michael Nyman “Fourths, Mostly” (Organ)
Marcus Davidson & John Beaumont “Missa Pro Defunctis Elektro” (Stage)

INTERVAL

John Beaumont (tenor) entertains those who haven’t gone to the pub
Claire M Singer – “The Molendinar” (Organ & electronics)
Charles Matthews plays Alfred Schnittke “Two Pieces for Organ” (Organ)
Philip Jeck (Stage)
…followed by The Eternal Chord & The Spire Ensemble (all)
Charles Matthews plays Charles Camilleri “Sonata Semplice” (Piano)

15. Spire Live in Bergen 1st November 2013
7:30 – 9pm

Charles Camillieri: Sonata Semplice
JS Bach; Komm, Heiliger Geist
Marcus Davidson; The Passing
Scelsi; In Nomine Lucis
BJNilsen and John Beaumont; electronics and voice
The Eternal Chord
Marcus Davidson; Ananta – world premier
Organology; ensemble
Arvo Pärt, Pari Intervallo

14. Spire live in Mautern 11th October 2013
7-10pm

PART ONE 7pm-8:15pm

Charles Camilleri: Lento, (from Sonata semplice)
Johann Caspar Ferdinand Fischer – Prelude no.8, six fugues and finale, from “Blumen Strauss”
Marcus Davidson – The Passing
Johann Nepomuk David – Movement 3 from Partita on BACH
Philip Jeck (solo)

INTERVAL

PART TWO 8:30pm – 10pm

Erik Satie – Prière pour le salut de mon âme
Leos Janacek – Organ solo from Glagolitic Mass
“The Austrian Hour” – Christian Fennesz & Burkhard Stangl
Arvo Pärt – Pari Intervallo
The Eternal Organ
»
Organ Massive
end 10:15pm approx

13. Spire Live in London 21st June 2012

Charles Camilleri – Sonata Semplice
JS Bach – Komm, heiliger Geist
Ligeti – Harmonies
Diana Burrell – Lauds
Arvo Pärt – Pari Intervallo
Marcus Davidson – The Conscious Sky

12. Spire Live in Berlin 5th February 2012
CMT12, Passionskirche

8pm – midnight

Giacinto Scelsi: In Nomine Lucis (Charles Matthews, organ)
Jana Winderen (solo)
Olivier Messiaen: Chants d’Oiseaux (Charles Matthews, organ)
Interval (short)
Marcus Davidson: Sacred Space (Marcus Davidson, laptop/Charles Matthews, organ)
Gyorgy Ligeti: Coulée (Charles Matthews, organ)
Hildur Gudnadottir (solo)
Frank Martin: Passacaille (Charles Matthews, organ)
Interval (long)
Charles Camilleri: Lento, (from Sonata semplice) (Charles Matthews, piano)
Marcus Davidson: The Passing (Marcus Davidson, organ and tape)
Stephen Montague: Paramell III (Charles Matthews, piano)
The Eternal Chord (Anon, organ)
Interval (short)
Eleh (solo)
Arvo Pärt: Pari Intervallo (Charles Matthews, organ)

11. Spire Live in Lincoln 21st October 2011
Frequency Festival, Lincoln Cathedral
7:30pm – 10:30pm

Charles Matthews Plays:
Anonymous – Annabasanna: from the Buxheim Organbook c. 1460
Morton Feldman – Principal Sound
Messiaen – Chants d’Oiseaux
Marcus Davidson – Festival Volontary
Franz Danksagmuller – Estampie
Anonymous – Estampie: from the Robertsbridge Codex, 1360
Philip Jeck
BJNilsen
John Beaumont sings:
William Byrd (c.1540 – 1623) – “Psalmes” (taken from the “Psalmes, sonets & songs of sadnes and piete”), published in 1588

and during the interval –

Medieval plainsong:
1. Te Deum Laudamus
2. Ite Missa Est
3. The Play of Herod (anonymous) from the Fleury-play-book, 12th Century
Charles Matthews & Mike Harding: The Eternal Chord
The Spire Ensemble: Organogram

10. Spire Live in Riga 23rd May 2009
St. Saviour’s Anglican Church, Riga, Latvia

Jana Winderen
Santa Ratniece (ergelmuziku izpilda Charles Matthews, perkusijas – Elina Endzele, Virdzinija Mutlu): Song of the dunes
Philip Jeck
Charles Matthews & Mike Harding: The Eternal Chord
Charles Matthews plays:
Charles Tournemire: Prelude for the introit on Ascension Day (c. 1928)
Liana Alexandra: Allegro veloce e caratteristico in honorem J.S. Bach (1985)
From tablature of Adam Ileborgh: Frowe al myn hoffen an dyr lyed (c. 1448)
J.S. Bach: Partita on ‘Ach, was soll ich Su”nder machen’ (c. 1710)
Stephen Montague: Behold a pale horse (1990/1)
From the Robertsbridge Codex: Alleluya/Firmissime/Benedictus (c.1360)
From the Buxheim organ-book: Annabasanna (c. 1460)
Jehan Alain: The hanging garden (1934)
The Spire Ensemble: Organography
Charles Matthews plays Hildur Gudnadottir: Nacre (Light show by Elin Hansdottir)

9. Spire Live in Norheimsund 21st June 2008
Hardingtonar Festival, Norheimsund, Norway

Marcus Davidson
Philip Jeck
Charles Matthews
BJNilsen
Jana Winderen
1600 Hotel Sandveg
Hardanger Fiddle Orchestra conducted by Marcus Davidson

Geirr Tveitt’s work was underpinned by idioms derived from Norwegian folk-music and folk played an essential part in his musical development
Hardingfele ensemble of 15 local players and 5 professionals. World premiere of a new piece composed for the festival by Marcus Davidson

Kino – 1700

Tveitt won considerable acclaim in continental Europe and elsewhere performing his own compositions. Philip Jeck uses vinyl discs of Tveitt recordings to build up layers of sound which reveal the complexities and myriad of influences on his work.

Charles Matthews plays Takemitsu ­ Rain Dreaming
(Harpsichord)
Philip Jeck
(Turntables & sampler)
Charles Matthews plays Bach ­ Partita no.1 in B flat
(Harpsichord)

Toru Takemitsu’s thoughtful atmospheric character links all the elements of the programme. The idea for the ‘Partita’ came from the note with the CD of Tveitt’s early piano pieces, detailing his inspiration from Bach’s Well-tempered Keyboard.

Norheimsund Church – 1800

Geirr Tveitt lived most of his life under the shadow of the glacier Folgefonna. Nature was a permanent inspiration to him; in this section the artists explore this influence on Geirr Tveitt’s work. Jana Winderen uses recordings made on the Folgefonna itself.

Charles Matthews plays Takemitsu ­ Les Yeux Clos II
(Piano)
Jana Winderen
(Electronics)
Charles Matthews plays Geirr Tveitt ­ Three pieces from his orchestral ‘Reisebilleder’ in a transcription for organ: ‘Via Appia’…
Marcus Davidson
(Grand Piano & Electronics)
Marcus Davidson plays Geirr Tveitt – A new piece based on the beginning of the second movement of Tveitt’s Piano Sonata no.29
Charles Matthews plays Geirr Tveitt: ‘El Escorial’…
BJNilsen
(Electronics)

BJNilsen’s fractured and emotional treatments reflect the loss and the restoration which took place during the later years of Tveitt’s life. Using samples and fragments of his piano recordings, BJNilsen explores the extreme emotional journey of Geirr Tveitt’s later life.
Charles Matthews plays Geirr Tveitt: ‘Stjernhimmel over Sahara’…

Spire Ensemble: Organology

8. Spire Live in York Minster 20th January 2007
York Minster, York

Bells: York Minster Society of Change Ringers
Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
BJNilsen
Soloists: Robert Millner, John Beaumont & Amy Moore
1300-1600 Leif Inge – Installation: Bach’s Toccata and Fugue

The West Tower:
16.00 – 17.15 and 18.15 – 19.00

York Minster Society of Change Ringers: performing examples of “methods” – some of the earliest of bell ringing patterns, including Grandsire and Stedman Caters.

Spire part one:
1900 – 1950

Charles Matthews, Chamber Organ: Anon (from the Buxheim Organbook, c.1460): Annabasanna
Marcus Davidson, Main Organ & 3 soloists: The Grey Book [1st performance]
The Chapterhouse: Fennesz
Charles Matthews, Main Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Om Mani (Marcus Davidson)
Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Maurice Duruflé: Toccata
Interval: Plainchant sung by John Beaumont: The Play of Herod

Spire part two:
2000-2050

Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Giacinto Scelsi: In Nomine Lucis
The Nave: Philip Jeck
Marcus Davidson: Main Organ & Tape: The Passing [1st performance]
Charles Matthews, Main Organ, Marcus Davidson, Grand Piano, Robert Millner, Tenor: Focus: La Cathédrale de Strasbourg [Thijs van Leer] arr. Marcus Davidson
Interval: Plainchant sung by John Beaumont: The Play of Herod [cont.]

Spire part three:
2100-2150

Marcus Davidson, Main Organ: Gorécki: Kantata for Organ op. 26
The Knave: BJNilsen
Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Charles Spinks: 3 Arabesques
Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Arvo Pärt: Pari Intervallo
3 Soloists: Philippe de Vitry: Adesto-Firmissime-Alleluia (from the Roman de Fauvel, c.1315)
this is repeated by: Charles Matthews, Chamber Organ: Philippe de Vitry: Adesto-Firmissime-Alleluia (keyboard version from the Robertsbridge Codex, c.1360)

7. Spire Live in Linz 2nd September 2006
St. Florian, Linz [Ars Electronica]

The Brückner Organ: Charles Matthews & Robert Kovacs
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
Organoise

Morning concert 11 am – 11:30 am:

Charles Matthews, Cabinet Organ: Estampie [from the Robertsbridge Codex]
Robert Kovacs, Organ: J.S.Bach – Toccata and Fugue in F major
Charles Matthews, Organ: Liana Alexandra – Consonances III
Leif Inge – Installation: Bach’s Toccata and Fugue
Evening concert 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm:
Charles Matthews, Organ: Anton Bruckner – Scherzo from Symphony no.2 (transcription by Erwin Horn)
Philip Jeck
Robert Kovacs, Organ: Franz Schmidt – Toccata in C major
Charles Matthews, Organ: Robert Schumann – Fugue no. 1 on Bach, and Study no.4
Robert Kovacs, Organ: Improvisation
Fennesz
Charles Matthews, Organ: Francis Routh – Mystery
Charles Matthews, Organ: Arvo Pärt – Pari Intervallo
Organoise

6. Spire Live in Amsterdam 24th June 2006
Oude Kerk, Amsterdam [The Holland Festival]

The Great Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Transept Organ: Marcus Davidson
Cabinet Organ: Charles Matthews
Grand Piano: Marcus Davidson & Cor Fuhler
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
Organoise

2300 Charles Matthews, Cabinet Organ: John Bull: In Nomine
2306 Marcus Davidson, Transept Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Laudate Dominum
2311 Fennesz
2332 Marcus Davidson, Transept Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Chorale
2334 Charles Matthews, The Great Organ: J S Bach: Prelude on Jesus Christus, unser Heiland
2338 Charles Matthews, The Great Organ: Sem Dresden: Toccata, Chorale & Fugue
2350 Cor Fuhler, Grand Piano
0009 Marcus Davidson, The Great Organ: Gorécki: Kantata for Organ op. 26
0025 Charles Matthews, The Cabinet Organ: Sweelinck: Fantasia Chromatica
0034 Marcus Davidson, Grand Piano: Elergy
0042 Charles Matthews, Transept Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Daan Manneke: Zeven Vocalises voor Middenstem
0053 Philip Jeck
0125 Charles Matthews, Chamber Organ: Robertsbridge Codex: Estampie [c.1335]
0133 Charles Matthews, The Great Organ, Marcus Davidson, Grand Piano & Robert Millner, Tenor: Focus: La Cathédrale de Strasbourg [Thijs van Leer] arr. Marcus Davidson
0142 Ensemble: The Great Organ, Transept Organ, Cabinet Organ, Grand Piano & Electronics: Spire Live: Organoise

5. Spire Live in Jesmond 13th May 2006
St. George’s Church, Jesmond

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Portable Organ: Marcus Davidson & BJNilsen
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
BJNilsen
Organoise
1830 Charles Matthews, Main Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: JS Bach: Komm, heiliger Geist
1837 Philip Jeck
1918 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Max Reger: Introduction & Passacaglia in F minor
1930 Charles Matthews, Main Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Marcus Davidson: Om Mani
1940 Marcus Davidson, Main Organ: Henryk Gorécki: Kantata for Organ op. 26
1955 BJNilsen: Chamber Organ & Electronics
2030 Interval
2100 Charles Matthews, Main Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: JS Bach: Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend
2107 Fennesz
2142 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Sofia Gubaidulina: hell und dunkel
2150 Marcus Davidson, Main Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Laudate Dominum
2200 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Maurice Duruflé: Toccata
2210 Marcus Davidson, Main Organ: Arvo Pärt: Pari Intervallo
2215 Ensemble: Main Organ, Chamber Organ & Electronics: Spire Live: Organoise

4. Spire Live in Leeds 12th May 2006
Leeds Town Hall [FuseLeeds06]

Main Organ & Portable Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
BJNilsen
Organoise
1930 Charles Matthews, Chamber Organ: Robertsbridge Codex: Estampie (l) [c.1335]
1940 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Ronald Perrin: A Spanish Toccata
1945 Marcus Davidson, Main Organ: Gorécki: Kantata for Organ op. 26
2000 BJNilsen
2030 Charles Matthews, Main Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Arnold Cooke: Boat Song [music by Arnold Cooke, words by John Davidson]
2040 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Max Reger: Introduction & Passacaglia in F minor
2100 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Giacinto Scelsi: In Nomine Lucis
2110 Ensemble: Main Organ, Chamber Organ & Electronics: Spire Live: Organoise
2130 Interval
2150 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Maurice Duruflé: Toccata
2200 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Sofia Gubaidulina: hell und dunkel
2210 Marcus Davidson, Main Organ & BJNilsen, Chamber Organ/Electronics: Davidson/Nilsen: Duet
2225 Charles Matthews, Main Organ & CD: Jonathan Harvey: Toccata
2230 Marcus Davidson, Main Organ & Robert Millner, Tenor: Marcus Davidson: Laudate Domine
2235 Fennesz
2310 Marcus Davidson, Main Organ: Arvo Part: Pari Intervallo
2325 Charles Matthews, Chamber Organ: Robertsbridge Codex: Estampie (ll) [c.1335]
1900-2330 Leif Inge [The Court Room] Installation: Bach’s Toccata and Fugue

3. Spire Live in Brussels 7th May 2006
St. Michel & St. Gudula Cathedral [Les Nuits Botaniques]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Xavier Deprez
Portable Organ: Charles Matthews
Philip Jeck
Fennesz

Les Musiques Nouvelles

2000 Charles Matthews, Chamber Organ: Robertsbridge Codex: Estampie (l) [c.1335]
2008 Xavier Deprez, Main Organ & Musiques Nouvelles, Strings: Arvo Pärt, Fratres
2020 Xavier Deprez, Main Organ & Musiques Nouvelles, Strings: Henryk Gorécki: Concerto for Keyboard
2046 Philip Jeck
2103 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Giacinto Scelsi: In Nomine Lucis
2106 Christian Fennesz
2136 Charles Matthews, Main Organ: Maurice Duruflé: Toccata
2146 Xavier Deprez, Main Organ & Musiques Nouvelles, strings: Jean-Paul Dessy: Drawn by Drones for six hands, three feet and a pencil
2152 Charles Matthews, Chamber Organ: Robertsbridge Codex: Estampie (ll) [c.1335]
The original programme for the event may be downloaded here

2. Spire Live in Göteborg 4th October 2005
Masthuggs Church [GAS Festival]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
BJNilsen

Interval: Henrik Rylander & Leif Elggren

2000 Philip Jeck
2045
J S Bach – Passacaglia [Organ: Charles Matthews] 13:00
Rune Lindblad – Death of the Moon [Organ: Marcus Davidson/Electronics: BJNilsen] 8:30
Franz Lizst – Les Morts [Organ: Charles Matthews/Tenor: Rob Millner] 7:30
Marcus Davidson – The Beeldenstorm [Organ: Charles Matthews/Tenor: Rob Millner. Lyrics: Mike Harding] 5:00
Sven-Eric Johanson – Sonata [Organ: Charles Matthews] 7:00
Marcus Davidson – Standing Wave [Organ: Marcus Davidson] 12:00
2145 BJNilsen
2230 Interval: Chamber Music by Leif Elggren & Henrik Rylander
2245
Anonymous – Estampie: from the Robertsbridge Codex, 1360 [Organ: Charles Matthews] 8:00
Enrico Bossi – Scherzo in G minor [Charles Matthews] 5:30
Kurt Atterberg – Preludium et Fuga [Charles Matthews] 5:15
Marcus Davidson – Om Mani Padme [Organ: Charles Matthews/Tenor: Rob Millner] 5:15
Jehan Alain – Litanies [Charles Matthews] 5:00
Arvo Pärt – Pari Intervallo [Organ: Charles Matthews] 5:33
2330 Fennesz

1. Spire Live in Geneva 5th September 2004
Cathedral Saint Pierre [La Batie Festival]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
La Petite Chapelle: Fennesz & BJNilsen
The Crypt: Philip Jeck
1930 Charles Matthews plays:
Olivier Messiaen – Soixante-quatre durées, from Livre d’orgue
André Jolivet – Hymne a l’Univers
Marcus Davidson – Organ Psalm no.3
Liana Alexandra – Consonances III
Marcus Davidson – Opposites Attract
Olivier Messiaen – Apparition de l’Eglise eternelle
2040 Marcus Davidson plays Henryk Gorecki – Kantata for organ Op. 26
2100 BJNilsen
2200 Philip Jeck
2300 Fennesz

 

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Spire Live Events | 2004 – 2019+

June 11, 2016 » Permalink: Spire Live Events | 2004 – 2019+

RoofCircle

1. Spire Live in Geneva 5th September 2004

Cathedral Saint Pierre [La Batie Festival]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
La Petite Chapelle: Fennesz & BJNilsen
The Crypt: Philip Jeck

2. Spire Live in Göteborg 4th October 2005

Masthuggs Church [GAS Festival]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
BJNilsen
Interval: Henrik Rylander & Leif Elggren

3. Spire Live in Brussels 7th May 2006

The Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral [Les Nuits Botaniques]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Xavier Deprez
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
Musiques Nouvelles with Jean-Paul Dessy

4. Spire Live in Leeds 12th May 2006

Leeds Town Hall [Fuse Festival]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
BJNilsen
Installation: Leif Inge

5. Spire Live in Jesmond 13th May 2006

St. George’s Church

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
BJNilsen

6. Spire Live in Amsterdam 24th June 2006

Oude Kerk [Holland Festival]

Main Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
Cor Fuhler

7. Spire Live in Linz 2nd September 2006

St. Florian Monastery [Ars Electronica]

The Brückner Organ: Charles Matthews & Robert Kovács
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
Installation: Leif Inge

8. Spire Live in York 20th January 2007

York Minster

The Grand Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Fennesz
Philip Jeck
BJNilsen
Soloists: John Beaumont, Robert Millner & Amy Moore
Piano: Marcus Davidson
Installation: Leif Inge

9. Spire Live in Norheimsund 21st June 2008

Norheimsund [Hardingtonar Festival]

BJNilsen
Philip Jeck
Jana Winderen
Charles Matthews
Marcus Davidson

10. Spire Live in Riga 23rd May 2009

St. Saviour’s Anglican Church [Skanu Mezs]

Philip Jeck
Jana Winderen
Charles Matthews
Hildur Gudnadóttir & Elín Hans
The Eternal Chord
The Spire Ensemble

11. Spire Live in Lincoln 21st October 2011

Lincoln Cathedral

Philip Jeck
BJNilsen
Charles Matthews
John Beaumont
The Eternal Chord
The Spire Ensemble

12. Spire Live in Berlin 5th February 2012

Passionskirche [CTM 12]

Charles Matthews
Jana Winderen
Hildur Gudnadottir
Marcus Davidson
Eleh
The Eternal Chord

13. Spire Live in London 21st June 2012

St. Botolphs without Aldgate [Spitalfields Festival]

Charles Matthews
BJNilsen & John Beaumont
Marcus Davidson
Philip Jeck
The Eternal Chord

14. Spire Live in Mautern 11th October 2013

St. Stephan’s Church [Kontraste Festival]

Marcus Davidson
Christian Fennesz
Philip Jeck
Charles Matthews
Burkhard Stangl
The Eternal Chord
Organ Massive

15. Spire Live in Bergen 1st November 2013

Domkirke [Bergen kirkeautunnale 2013]

Marcus Davidson
Mike Harding
Charles Matthews
Black Death: BJNilsen & John Beaumont

16. Spire Live in Cambridge 27th February 2016

The Unitarian Church

John Beaumont
Marcus Davidson
Philip Jeck
Charles Matthews
Simon Scott
Claire M Singer
The Eternal Chord

17. Spire Live in London 8th October 2016

Union Chapel [Organ Reframed]

John Beaumont
Christian Fennesz
Philip Jeck
Charles Matthews
Simon Scott
Claire M Singer
The Eternal Chord
The Spire Ensemble

18. Spire Live in Athens 6th April 2019

The German Evangelical Church [Borderline]

Charles Matthews
Claire M Singer
Sohrab
The Eternal Chord

19. Spire Live in Chichester 7th September 2019

Chichester Cathedral [Iklectik]

Charles Matthews
Claire M Singer
The Eternal Chord

The 16th Spire took place on 26th February 2016 in Cambridge

February 26, 2016 » Permalink: The 16th Spire took place on 26th February 2016 in Cambridge

The 16th Spire took place on 26th February 2016 in The Unitarian Church, Cambridge

Recordings now available on Bandcamp

5-9pm

The Unitarian Church
5 Emmanuel Road
Cambridge
CB1 1JW

Performers:

John Beaumont
Marcus Davidson
Philip Jeck
Charles Matthews
Simon Scott
Claire M Singer
The Eternal Chord

This concert was recorded and the entry fee guarantees you a free copy of some of the recordings [wav files]. Which tracks we make available will depend on the quality and suitability of the recordings, of course…

More info and tickets and for full progamme click “continue reading…” below

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Spire 6 – The Eternal Chord “Orga”

November 7, 2015 » Permalink: Spire 6 – The Eternal Chord “Orga”

sankt-peter

Live 6.xi.15 Kunststation St Peter,  Jabachstr. 1, Köln, Germany. Recorded by Achim Mohné. Peformers are Claire M Singer & Mike Harding. With thanks to Georg Dietzler

Now available on Bandcamp