Overview
The Cambridge Academy of Organ studies offers a range of events aimed at promoting the playing and study of pipe organs built on historic principles. Click on the links to the left to explore some of what we have done.
The renowned Dutch organist gave two classes for organ scholars from the University of Cambridge at the organs of Trinity College (Metzler) and Trinity Hall (Carsten Lund). A further class at Trinity Hall was open to organists from a wide range of backgrounds and to the public as observers.
Sietze de Vries concluded his visit with a recital on the organ of King's College. The programme was entirely improvised, with a partita in Baroque style and a three-movement sonata in Romantic style based on English hymn melodies.
CAOS thanks the Organ Scholars Forum and the participating colleges for their support of this event.
Sietze de Vries with students at the organ of Trinity College.
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The second CAOS Competition and Masterclass for student organists took place in Jesus College Chapel on the two manual and pedal Kuhn organ (2007) and the 1849 organ in early English style designed by Sir John Sutton.
The winner by unanimous decision of the jury was
Merle Hillmer, a graduate
of the
Hochschule für Musik und Theater (Leipzig) currently studying with Henry Fairs
at Royal Birmingham Conservatory. She receives a prize of £500 and a lunchtime
recital at St John’s Smith Square.
The adjudicators were
Hans Davidsson (Gothenburg, Sweden) and Martin Ennis (Cambridge) with Paul
Binski (Chairman of CAOS) as Chair. The jury praised the high standard of playing of all four competitors.
The following day Hans Davidsson gave a masterclass on the Flentrop organ of Sidney Sussex College, teaching five students in repertoire by Buxtehude, Bruhns and Bach.
L to R: Hans Davidsson, Martin Ennis and Merle Hillmer in
Jesus College Chapel.
The competition participants and their repertoire:
Programme for the competition:
Dietrich Buxtehude: Praeludium in A minor Bux 153 (Kuhn Organ)
Matthias Weckmann: Toccata vel Praeludium in D minor (Sutton Organ)
William Byrd: Fantasy in a Minor (Sutton Organ)
Thierry Escaich: Poèmes per orgue: 3. Vers l'esperance (Kuhn Organ)
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy/Arr.: William T. Best, Henry Fairs: Ouvertureto the Oratorio St. Paul, op.36 (Kuhn Organ)
Simon Konkoli was born 2001 and lives in Gothenburg in Sweden. He started playing piano at 7 years old and at 13, his piano teacher at the time, the organist and composer Dàvid Magda, introduced him to the organ. 2016 he started studying with the organist, composer and conductor Erland Hildén, initially in the Old Church and later on the Willis Organ and North German Baroque Organ in the New church in Örgryte Parish. With his assistance Simon has performed numerous organ solo concerts, the latest being as a part of the concept ‘Organ for Everyone’ in 2019. Programme for the competition:
Kuhn organ: -D. Buxtehude-Praeludium in A minor BuxWV 153
J.S. Bach-Concerto in D minor 3rd mov, BWV 596
F. Mendelssohn: Fugue in C minor, Op. 37
Sutton organ: -M. Weckmann- Nun freut euch lieben Christ gmein –secundus versus.
J.P. Sweelinck-Echo Fantasia
Lucy Morrell is the current Organ Scholar at the Collegiate Church of St Mary's, Warwick, where she regularly accompanies the choir at services as well as being involved with the training of the choristers and probationers. Before moving to Warwick Lucy was the Organ Scholar at St George's Chapel, Windsor where she was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play pre-service music for two Royal Weddings as well as other high-profile services including the Garter Day service. Lucy was the organ scholar for three years at Girton College, Cambridge, where she read music.
Programme for the competition:
Kuhn Organ: Buxtehude - Praeludium in A Minor Bux 153
J. S. Bach - Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein
Mendelssohn - Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 65
Sutton Organ: Pachelbel - Ach wie elend ist unsre Zeit
Weckmann - Toccata vel Praeludium in D Minor
Polina Sosnina currently studies organ at the Royal College of Music with David Graham and Andrew Dewar. She holds Organ Scholarships at the London Oratory and St Martin-in-the-Fields, and while studying at Cambridge University was Organ Scholar at Magdalene College, winning first prize in the Brian Runnett Competition held at St John’s College. Recent performances include London’s Temple Church and St Lawrence Jewry, and a ‘Bach Corner’ recital in the 2019 St Albans International Organ Festival.
Programme for the competition:
Kuhn Organ: Bruhns, E minor Praeludium Bach, Prelude and Fugue in C major BWV 547
Sutton Organ: Weckmann, Nun freut euch lieben Christ gmein – secundus versus
Sweelinck, Fantasia Chromatica
Hans Davidsson gave a masterclass for five student organists on the Flentrop organ in Sidney Sussex College on music by north German composers, bringing a depth of knowledge and inspiring teaching style to the repertoire which is his particular specialism. The students and their pieces were:
Chris Hamilton (Downing College)
Buxtehude - Praeludium in C Bux 137.
Merle Hillmer (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)
Bach - Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV 548.
Simon Konkoli (Hvitfeldtska Gymnasiet in Gothenburg)
Buxtehude - Praeludium in A minor Bux 153.
Yechan Yun (Perse School, Cambridge)
Buxtehude - Toccata in F Bux 157.
Tom Baldwin (Clare College)
Bruhns - Praeludium in E minor (Great).
Danish organist Bine Bryndorf has a worldwide reputation for her inspired performances and insightful teaching, particularly of Bach and the north German organ school. She is organist of Frederiksborg Castle and a Visiting Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London. At the invitation of CAOS she came to give a class at the Metzler organ of Trinity College, teaching five advanced students in repertoire by Bach, Buxtehude and Bruhns.
Below: Bine Bryndorf with James Anderson-Besant (St John's) and
Wayne Weaver (Girton).
