peter ellis

I'm going to approach this from the perspective of an English organist working in Australia. The church i work for has about 30 recitals a year of varying standards. Many of our organists attempt to plan thematic programmes, eg and all Buxtehude recital, or all transcriptions. I've arranged "gimmicky" recitals - such as French programmes inspired by plainsong and performed in a candlelit dark church. Attendances were up. It's also the case that if we as musicians find a lot of contemporary music unpalatable, at least on first hearing. then we cannot rightly expect audiences to be any more open minded. I'm finding more and more that pre or during concert talks help, or properly presented programme notes. I can also remember inappropriate recitals in a number of venues - Couperin does not go well on an organ lacking mutation stops, neither does romantic organ music on a six top one manual mechanical. Unless we give good reason to attend a recital (and the chance to sit in a cold church, listening to unfamiliar music, with no intellectual engagement through written or spoken word is NOT that) then audiences will remain disinterested and rightfully small. And to finish with contemporary music - the argument can rage for days about atonal versus tonal etc etc (yawn) but two of the finest recent compositions i've heard for the instrument have come from Graham Koehne in Adelaide - namely his Gothic Toccata and the wonderful chorale prelude "To his servant Bach, God grants a final glimpse: The morning star" (based on "How Brightly Shines the Morning Star). Modern music can be accessible.

OMG.....memories of the good Mr Tordoff at Halifax Parish Church. My boss here in Sydney does the finest impression of PT - dating from a recital he gave in 1986, after which he was approached by Philip with the most leading of questions...."Ah take it tha's not tee-total then". As for me - although I'm a big train person (railway enthusiast rather than trainspotter thank you) I'm actually more of a tram person. I draw the line at traction engines though. Saw Robert Wolfe at Thursford in 1985 and put me off Wurlitzers for life.

Thank you so much MM, we are trawling shops, archives and conservatoria in a search. I think our repertoire list will be much different in 12 months time. I'm particularly interested in the Dupre. I hope you don't mind but i visited your profile on the other thread - the one where we all admit who we are. If it's any comfort I have a 120 strong choir who stare blankly at their music too, the difference being it doesn't all click into place two weeks later. Kindest regards

Peter Ellis - originally from Halifax, UK where I had lessons with David Barker. Studied music at Birmingham Uni (1994-7) studying organ with Marcus Huxley. Held three UK posts @ West Vale Baptist Church (1988-94), All Saints, Kings Heath, Birmingham (97-99), St. Pauls, Woodford Bridge, Essex (2000-02). Moved to Australia in 2002. Organist of St. Augustine's, Merewether, Newcastle from 2003 to July 2006. I've spent the last few years concentrating mainly on my conducting and i'm on a development course run by the Australian government which lets me loose on the major orchestras occasionally. I'm also Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Newcastle University Choir and Eastern Sydney Chamber Orchestra. Since July 2006 I've been assistant organist and music development officer at St. James' Church, King Street, Sydney, a fine 1824 building, 61 stop organ, semi professional choir and anglo-catholic tradition. I've recently started taking my playing seriously again and I'm loving it. Oh I also do cello and organ recitals with my partner. (ps. Nick Bennett - don't i know you?)

Hi - will get my frequent soprano partner onto the case. In the meantime try Ah Chloris by Reynaldo Hahn. I know it's piano and sop repertoire but I play it straight off a piano part. it's heaven.

Thanks everyone - i'm overwhelmed by the response. the Gubaidalina has been ordered, as well as the CD. Ernst Bacon will recieve some attention. I'm going to look into some of these European composers I've never heard of. Look forward to metting over other topics soon. Pete Ellis

Hi everyone and greetings from Sydney. My cello playing partner and I give many recitals together and we're looking to build up a list of preferably original works for the two instruments. If anyone can help with suggestions we'd love to recieve them. My email direct is petejellis@hotmail.com. Also anyone wishing to drop in at St. James' Church (www.stjameschurchsydney.org.au) and have a play is more than welcome to contact me. Thanks Peter Ellis