New organ for the Zaryadye Hall in Moscow

[John Pike Mander]

Last weekend we attended the marathon inauguration of the Muhleisen (Eschau) organ for the Zaryadye Hall in Moscow. And it was a marathon. Starting at midnight on Friday/Saturday, 24 organists from around the world played for an hour each, ending with an improvisation by Olivier Latry at midnight on Saturday/Sunday. A few of us, members and friends of the Muhleisen firm mainly, were granted access as and when we wanted to seating in the gallery (my fiancée works for the firm). So we were in and out at odd times and for most of Saturday evening up till the end, taking in Thomas Trotter and Olivier Latry, amongst others. There was some fine playing and the organ is quite remarkable too. They dreamed up a novel idea to raise awareness of the organ. Rather than selling tickets for seating, people bought a ticket for a time slot of around 20 minutes to walk around the stage along a path marked out by sheets and sheets of organ music taped to the stage, whilst the organists were playing. The hall is claiming that no less than 20,000 people passed through during the marathon event. There is even a little bit of Bethnal Green in the organ in the form of a Tuba 16/8/4 unit which got the occasional airing, including a grand outing played by Olivier Latry and Shin-Young Lee. You can see a video of the event here: Moscow ZARYADYE-HALL: Inauguration of concert organ / Орган московского концертного зала ЗАРЯДЬЕ

John

[Cantoris]

On 09/03/2020 at 04:04, John Pike Mander said:

Last weekend we attended the marathon inauguration of the Muhleisen (Eschau) organ for the Zaryadye Hall in Moscow. And it was a marathon. Starting at midnight on Friday/Saturday, 24 organists from around the world played for an hour each, ending with an improvisation by Olivier Latry at midnight on Saturday/Sunday. A few of us, members and friends of the Muhleisen firm mainly, were granted access as and when we wanted to seating in the gallery (my fiancée works for the firm). So we were in and out at odd times and for most of Saturday evening up till the end, taking in Thomas Trotter and Olivier Latry, amongst others. There was some fine playing and the organ is quite remarkable too. They dreamed up a novel idea to raise awareness of the organ. Rather than selling tickets for seating, people bought a ticket for a time slot of around 20 minutes to walk around the stage along a path marked out by sheets and sheets of organ music taped to the stage, whilst the organists were playing. The hall is claiming that no less than 20,000 people passed through during the marathon event. There is even a little bit of Bethnal Green in the organ in the form of a Tuba 16/8/4 unit which got the occasional airing, including a grand outing played by Olivier Latry and Shin-Young Lee. You can see a video of the event here: Moscow ZARYADYE-HALL: Inauguration of concert organ / Орган московского концертного зала ЗАРЯДЬЕ

John

Amazing no comments about this superb instrument installed in this world class beautiful concert hall in Moscow. Where in London have we got such a concert hall with such an instrument to grace it?

Why can we not raise awareness of the organ in such a way that they have done in this hall in Moscow. 20,000 people passing through during this marathon record breaking event. And yes our hosts represented by producing the 16.8.4 tuba stops, and Thomas Trotter represented us also.

The 20 min Youtube clip well worth a visit. Check out all the other wonderful new halls in China too, all with superb instruments. Over the horizon we must look, as there the organ and good music is still respected.