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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)

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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

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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)

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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+

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

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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The 15th Spire took place in on 1st November 2013 in Bergen

The 15th Spire took place in Bergen, Norway on 1st November 2013.

Festival for church art and music – Bergen kirkeautunnale 2013

Marcus Davidson (Organ & electronics)
Mike Harding (The Eternal Chord & programme designer)
Charles Matthews (Organ & programme designer)
BJNilsen (Electronics) & John Beaumont (Tenor)

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The 14th Spire took place on 11th October 2013 in Mautern

mics2

The 14th Spire took place in St. Stephan’s Church, Mautern, close to Krems, Austria, on 11th October 2013, opening the Kontraste Festival.

Location: Mautern

Marcus Davidson (Organ & electronics)
Christian Fennesz (Guitar & electronics)
Mike Harding (The Eternal Chord & programme designer)
Philip Jeck (Turntables & sampler)
Charles Matthews (Organ & programme designer)
Burkhard Stangl (Guitar, electronics & organ)

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The 13th Spire took place on 21st June 2012 in London

spitalfields

The 13th Spire took place at St. Botolphs without Aldgate on Thursday 21st June 2012 as part of The Spitalfields Summer Festival

You can read a review of this event at Dalston Sounds here and in London Jazz here

7.00pm-9.30pm (Installation by Marcus Davidson from 6.00pm)
Insight with Scott McMillan (The Liminal), Charles Matthews and Mike Harding

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The 12th Spire took place on 5th February 2012 in Berlin

L1010750

The 12th Spire took place on 5th February 2012 in Berlin as part of CTM 12, at the Passionskirche

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

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The 11th Spire took place on 21st October 2011 in Lincoln

The 11th Spire took place on 21st October 2011 in Lincoln Cathedral as part of the Frequency Festival 2011 from 21st – 29th October

Philip Jeck
Charles Matthews
Charles Matthews & Mike Harding – The Eternal Chord
BJNilsen
The Spire Ensemble – Organogram
with John Beaumont (Tenor)

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The 10th Spire took place on May 23rd 2009 in Riga

The 10th Spire took place at the St. Saviour’s Anglican Church in Riga on May 23rd 2009 as part of the Sound Forest Festival

Philip Jeck
Jana Winderen
Charles Matthews
Hildur Gudnadóttir & Elín Hansdóttir
Charles Matthews & Mike Harding – The Eternal Chord
The Spire Ensemble – Organography

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The 9th Spire took place on 21st June 2008 in Nordheimsund

The 9th Spire took place in Nordheimsund at The HardingTonar Festival on 21st June 2008

To mark the centenary of the birth of Norwegian composer Geirr Tveitt, The Hardingtonar festival has invited Spire to contribute various works based on his compositions.
BJNilsen | Philip Jeck | Charles Matthews | Jana Winderen | Marcus Davidson et al. will take part in a live event at various times on 21st June 2008 in Norheimsund, Norway.

You can read more in Ballade here
A programme in English can be found here
A full programme can be downloaded here

Spire Participants | 2004-2019+

Artists who have performed at Spire events…

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The 8th Spire took place on 20th January 2007 in York

The 8th Spire took place on 20th January 2007 in York at York Minster

Performers:

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)

The 7th Spire took place on 2nd September 2006 in Linz

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The 7th Spire took place on 2nd September 2006 in Linz at St. Florian Monastery as part of 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

 

 

The 6th Spire took place on 24th June 2006 in Amsterdam

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The 6th Spire took place on 24th June 2006 at the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam as part of the The Holland Festival

Performers:

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

Full Programme:

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

The 5th Spire took place on 13th May 2006 in Jesmond

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The 5th Spire took place on 13th May 2006 in at the St. George’s Church, Jesmond

Performers:

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

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The 4th Spire took place on 12th May 2006 in Leeds

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The 4th Spire took place on 12th May 2006 at Leeds Town Hall as part of FuseLeeds06

Performers:

Main Organ & Portable Organ: Charles Matthews & Marcus Davidson
Soloist: Robert Millner
Fennesz
BJNilsen
Organoise

Full Programme:

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

The 2nd Spire took place on 4th October 2005 in Gothenberg

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The 2nd Spire took place on 4th October 2005 at Masthuggs Church as part of the GAS Festival

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

Full programme:

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

The 1st Spire took place on 5th September 2004 in Geneva

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The 1st Spire took place on 5th September 2004 at Cathedral Saint Pierre as part of the La Batie Festival

Performers:

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

Full programme:

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