Music at St Matthew's

Movies at St Matthew's

Review: Organ at the Movies
Barry Brinson at St Matthew's, Masterton, 31 July 2010

Barry Brinson's Organ at the Movies concert in St Matthew's, Masterton, was fun, an opportunity to look at some seriously interesting cinematographic history, and a demonstration of some more of the pyrotechnical possibilities of the Rodgers Trillium organ.

While "serious" organists like a Bach fugue and some Franck to start the day - and the concert - and look down their noses at those who cater to a rather broader audience, Barry occupies both ends of the organ repertoire spectrum quite seamlessly. And, if that isn't enough, he is also a fine jazz musician, church musician, and church music composer as well.

The programme started with a medley that segued beautifully between old favourites such as Zip-a-dee-doo-dah and When you wish upon a star and was followed by music by Richard Rodgers.

Then the lights were dimmed and St Matthew's became a cinema of the silent movie era.

The 1929 film, The Phantom of the Opera, showed the cinema organ at its best. Using an adaptation of Charles Gounod's opera Faust as the theme, we were transported to Paris as the music created excellent dramatic tension.  While the film built to its dramatic conclusion, Barry moved to Boellman's Toccata from Suite Gothique, a superb choice.

As well as being a fine performance, accompanying The Phantom was a real marathon - 50 minutes of straight playing without a break.

The film RAF over Blackpool, accompanied by Walford Davies' March of the Royal Air Force, was a stunning marriage of spectacular aerobatic footage teamed perfectly with the music.

We were also treated to Noah and his amazing floating zoo from the Disney film Fantasia, accompanied by music from Elgar and Khatchachurian.

You can tell when an audience is really enjoying themselves. There was none of the usual discreet coughing and programme rustling that accompanies most concerts.  The audience were absolutely entranced. What better endorsement of a fine performance.

Caryl Forrest

Ralph Cullen plays Heritage Hymns - Review

Michelle Holloway writes

The church was warm; the Rodgers organ was in place on the chancel steps; the audience was ready: a few introductory words from organist Ralph Cullen preceded the opening hymn, Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore Him (to the tune Austria) and the afternoon was off to a strong start.

The singing complemented Ralph's playing, both being of the raise-the-roof variety in hymns such as A Mighty Fortress Is Our God , Tell Out My Soul and the final hymn, Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.

Ralph's passion for the old and theologically sound hymns shone through as he related short histories and origins to introduce each one. Prolific is a word that falls seriously short when describing some hymn writers; for example, Charles Wesley wrote over 6000 and Fanny Crosby over 8000!

There were quiet, contemplative hymns such as Jesus, The Very Thought Of Thee and How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds and a couple of brackets which Ralph played by himself, partly perhaps to rest the enthusiastic 'choir'.

My personal favourite of all that Ralph played, was the stirring To God Be The Glory, which he interpreted in a stunning way, with thundering bass drums and a magnificent string section added to the powerful organ voices.  Spine-tingling indeed!

Hymns ranged from the twelfth century to the 1980s and included hymns from England, Germany, America, France, Wales and Scotland.

In the end it wasn't a concert, but a gathering of lovers of hymnody, all expressing their Christianity through word and melody.

Barry Brinson plays Organ at the Movies

 Barry Brinson is one of New Zealand’s most versatile musicians, with interests ranging from classical organ and jazz piano, to composing and arranging, and directing choral and instrumental ensembles.

He has been a Lay Clerk and sub-organist at Christchurch Cathedral, and director of the Cathedral Singers, the Cathedral’s auxiliary adult choir. For many years he also directed the music for regular jazz services, composing music for a Jazz Mass which has been presented in Cathedrals in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.  He is currently organist at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church in Christchurch.  

Barry’s interest in Theatre Organ arose from playing the mighty Wurlitzer at the Southward Museum, in Paraparaumu, and other cinema organ installations in New Zealand, Australia and UK. 

His skills at improvisation, both in the jazz and cinema styles are prodigious.

As a composer and arranger, he has written much music for choirs, hymn tune and song settings for the New Zealand Hymnbook Trust.

His latest work, a setting of six Shakespeare Songs, for choir, piano, flute and double bass is due to be performed for the first time by the Hamilton Civic Choir in September.

Most of the first half of Barry’s Organ at the Movies  will consist of a "typical" theatre organ selections programme, including music from Broadway, marches, and classic American composers such as Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, George Gershwin. 

He will also present two short silent film clips, with musical accompaniment in "cinema organ" style. (giving away no secrets at this stage!)

The second half will consist of an edited version of the 1929 Phantom of the Opera, with Lon Chaney as the Phantom, and Mary Philbin as Christine.  This film was a milestone in "scary horror" movies when it was first produced, and contains some stunning scenes in hand-coloured Technicolor.

Music is drawn from the score of Gounod's opera Faust - around a performance of which the movie is based. Other incidental music is drawn from French classical composers, and Barry's own improvisations.

Barry states  “There are also some surprising sound effects!”

The films are due to be shown on a large screen – at least three metres.

Organ at the Movies -  Barry Brinson

Saturday, 31 July 2010, at 7 pm

Admission:  Adults $15,  Students $5, Door sales. General Admission.

St Matthew’s Anglican Church
Church Street, Masterton

Further enquiries about this event to Parish Office. Weekdays 9-1 pm 06 370 8589

Ralph Cullen plays Heritage Hymns

 Do you like to sing?

Are you interested in the tales behind some of the hymns we sing ?

Then “Heritage Hymns” could be for you - the next event in “Music at St Matthew’s”, Sunday, 27 June at 2 pm.

Ralph Cullen, who describes himself as a man who wears many hats, including Director, Keyboard Music Systems, Organist, St Columba Presbyterian Church, Botany Downs, sometimes preacher, pastor and broadcaster, will present the programme.

Ralph has a strong heritage in English Hymnody, having grown up in a non-conformist church that really knew how to sing, with at least five generations of his own family in New Zealand. They all have a passion for song, for music of the church and a love for the hymns that have shaped our own Christian heritage; the tradition which gave us Luther, Watts, Wesley, Montgomery, Newton, and many others.

Ralph says that he “learned to play the organ in a certain style by listening to my Aunt lead a full voiced congregation; and at no time did she let the congregation get away with lagging or unresponsiveness. This authority in playing came not primarily from musical skill, but more from a passion for the truth that is conveyed by these hymns”.

“This experience has also strengthened my understanding of church history and the music that not only reflected the progress of the Christian movement for centuries, but in some way influenced and directed it.”

“In Heritage Hymns we will sample a few key influences and influencers that marked milestones in what is the greatest movement in the history of the earth - the Christian Church, and the Gospel it proclaims. Beginning with the hymns of the Monastic period through the Reformation, the birth of English hymnody, evangelical awakenings, and modern revivals of worship, we can but touch the edges of the tremendous wealth that is our heritage”.

Come prepared to sing. There will be 12 hymns to fill in 90 minutes. As well, Ralph will extemporise on some medleys of great hymn writers. Included will be a rendition of Sullivan's Lost Chord, which he has found that people really love, and a rumbustious version of his "Onward Christian Soldiers". There’ll be a medley of Dykes wonderful and melodic music, which will bring some familiar sounds to peoples ears. These will all be set into their historical context by brief and very informative narration.

This is not a recital, although there will be wonderful and vibrant music to listen to, but expect to be informed, enlightened, and most of all drawn into some of the great Hymns of our most precious Faith.

Admission $5. Students Free. Door sales.

Further information from Parish office, weekdays 9-1pm. Tel 06 370 8589

April Bamford Convenor, Music at St Matthew’s,  phone 06 377 5026

Heritage Hymns

Auckland organist Ralph Cullen provides an opportunity to learn the history behind some well-loved hymns in the next concert in the Music at St Matthew's 2010 series.

Ralph will be talking about - and playing - some well-known favourites.

Ralph's business, Keyboard Music Systems Ltd, installed and maintains the Rodgers Trillium 927 Organ in St Matthew's.

Heritage Hymns, Ralph Cullen

Sunday, 27 June at 2 pm St Matthew's, Church Street, Masterton

Admission $5

Calling all Australians!

In what is now a firmly entrenched annual event, St Matthew's Anglican Church in Masterton is once again presenting its ANZAC Concert to honour New Zealand and Australia's service men and women.

This year there is a strong Australian flavour, acknowledging the filial bond which existed in the battlefields of last century. Forget the Bledisloe Cup; forget the cricket. (Some things are best forgotten!) During the one and a half hour concert we remember our Aussie mates who fought bravely alongside us at Gallipoli and in Europe.

All participants are drawn from the Wairarapa, the common thread drawing them together being the deep respect they hold for all who fought for the freedom that New Zealand enjoys, the freedom bought so dearly with lives – many lives left in tatters and many lives destroyed.

A drummer sets the scene for the start of the concert, providing an atmosphere of anticipation as the last few concert-goers arrive.

Short readings provide snippets of information as well as deeper insights into aspects of wartime history. Naval Captain Terry Herrick will be honoured this year and other items include hymns relevant to the occasion and some favourite songs from wartime, led by the Harmony Ladies and the Savage Club with hearty audience participation. 

.A special treat this year is entertainer Wayne R. Heath, winner of last year's Silver Scroll Award. Wayne, who entertains overseas as well as in New Zealand, has lived in Australia and will be giving a bracket of Australian songs the Wayne R. Heath treatment as only he can.

The Ode and the Last Post bring the concert to a close in a most fitting manner, after which a light supper is served – tea, coffee and Anzac Biscuits!

For those unable to attend the evening concert, the  Matinée the day before may be a suitable option.

ANZAC Concert, St Matthew's Church, Church St, Masterton.

Saturday, April 24th, 7pm, followed by a light supper.

Matinée, Friday, April 23rd, 1.30pm.

Gold coin donation to the RSA Welfare Fund.

Goosebumps and Tears at Organ Concert

Michelle Holloway writes -

English 'entertainment' organist Chris Powell delivered the promised high octane performance at St Matthew's Church last Tuesday, 23 March.

For two and a half hours the audience was swept along on a journey from Blackpool Tower Ballroom, through the West End of London, to wartime concert halls and more, finishing in dazzling style at the Royal Albert Hall.

The church's Rodgers organ produced the rich tones of the WurliTzer while the Roland Atelier AT800 provided the sounds of rock 'n' roll bands, big bands, symphony orchestras and choirs.

The audience swayed and tapped as Powell held them in bygone eras, well-remembered by many seniors present.

The organs' keyboards were projected onto a screen, enhancing the concert experience by showing Powell's hands producing the music in seemingly impossible fashion.

Towards the end three standing ovations were given, acknowledging the masterful and exciting skills of Chris Powell as he constantly enthralled the audience.

The climax of this concert was Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance No 1 with full orchestra. After the rousing start, the Roland continued on its own (pre-recorded by Chris), as he left that organ, sat at the Rodgers and added the classical organ voices.

For this listener it was so easy to be transported in imagination to the Royal Albert Hall on the last night of the Proms. The percussion crashed, the organ thundered - what a magnificent finale!

..........and he will be back!

More on Chris Powell's concert

Michelle Holloway writes -

Chris Powell returns to St Matthew's Anglican Church in Masterton after his triumph last year, when he wowed his audience with the sheer brilliance of his orchestrations and theatre organ registrations. Chris is first in the lineup of entertainment and classical organists in the Music at St Matthew's” Concert Series for 2010.

Born in Manchester in 1971, Chris lived in New Zealand from age two until he was five. Returning to Lancashire, he studied piano and organ, resulting in a string of engagements for local concerts and dances from the age of 14 onwards. By the time he was 18, he had successfully auditioned to join the team of organists at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

However, playing for dancing, as exacting as that is, did not stretch his talents enough, so the concert stage beckoned and now Chris is able to let loose with all manner of styles and tempos – and not a written musical note in sight!

As well as playing the Rodgers Trillium organ for his concert at St Matthew's, Chris will also play a Roland Atelier AT800 digital organ, kindly supplied by Paul Solt of Kingdom Music in Paraparaumu.

Chris Powell, Blackpool Tower Sounds

St Matthew's, Church Street, Masterton

Tuesday, 23 March 2010, at 1.30 pm

Admission: Adults $20, Students $5

CDs and DVDs will be available for sale

Contact Parish Office (06) 370-8589 or April Bamford (06) 377-5026

 

Chris Powell - Blackpool Tower Sounds

 
 A welcome return of one of the UK’s prominent entertainment organists, Chris Powell, playing two hours of the Blackpool Tower sounds and much more.

Chris Powell is one of the most popular performers in the UK and intersperses his regular annual diary of engagements in Britain with frequent overseas concert tours, including Holland, Australia and New Zealand. 

Chris Powell, Blackpool Tower Sounds

St Matthew's, Church Street, Masterton

Tuesday, 23 March 2010, at 1.30 pm

Admission Adults $20. Students $5

CDs and DVDs will be available for sale

Anzac Concert

St Matthew's popular annual Anzac Concert.

Reflecting, remembering and recognising the ANZAC spirit in words and music.

There are two performances : one on Friday afternoon and the other on Saturday evening.

Anzac Concert

St Matthew's, Church Street, Masterton

Friday, 23 April, at 1.30 pm, and

Saturday, 24 April, at 7 pm

Gold coin donation to the RSA