The 15th edition of the Algarve International Organ Festival, organized by Associação Música XXI is back, from 4th to 26th November, with 13 concerts, three workshops, a photo contest and a visit to the interior of the organs.
The program takes place in the Churches of Faro, Portimão, Loulé/Boliqueime and Tavira. Returning to the extended format and its characteristic programming, there are proposals for solo organ, choral and chamber music (including an unprecedented combination at the Festival – historic cornet), with the presentation of a positive organ and the peculiar sound of the harmonium. .
Organists João Santos, Laura Silva, António Pedrosa, André Ferreira, Rui Soares, Matteo Cordioli, João Vaz, and Joris Verdin were invited to this festival, and the program also includes the participation of Coral Adágio, Coral Ossónoba, Ensemble Musica Antiqva Porto, singer Michele Tomaz, flutist Tiago Simas Freire and students from the Organ School of the Cathedral of Faro.
João Santos participated in prestigious international organ competitions and regularly gives concerts throughout the country and abroad, having already worked with most of the national orchestras. He is the titular organist of the Leiria Cathedral.
António Pedrosa, as a soloist and ensemble musician, performed in Portugal, Holland, Spain and France. He is currently organist at Onze Lieve Vrouw van de Rozenkrans (Obrechtkerk) in Amsterdam.
As a soloist or integrated in several musical groups, André Ferreira has already given recitals in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Holland, England and New Zealand. He is organist in the Ensemble S. Tomás de Aquino and also collaborates with the Parish of Santa Maria de Belém, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
Rui Soares, another by artists present, has collaborated with national orchestras and choirs and integrated festivals and countless concerts in Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Poland. He is organist at Igreja da Senhora da Conceição in Porto and titular organist at Igreja dos Clérigos.
Laura Silva has performed solo and with an orchestra in Portugal, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and England. She studies at the Royal College of Music, London, where she is a fellow of the Eric Thompson Trust and the GDA Foundation.
Matteo Cordioli participated in courses in Interpretation of various musical periods, as well as in Contemporary Improvisation. He is organist and choir director at the Church of San Pietro Apostolo, and organist at the great Ruffatti organ, at the Church of Santa Teresa del Bambino Gesù, both in Verona.
João Vaz has maintained an intense activity at an international level, either as a concert performer, or as a teacher in organ improvement courses, or as a member of the jury of interpreting competitions. He teaches Organ at the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa and is artistic director of the Madeira Organ Festival and of the series of concerts in the historic organ of the Church of São Vicente de Fora, in Lisbon, and in the six organs of the Basilica of the National Palace of Mafra.
Joris Verdin has recorded over fifty CDs as a soloist, spanning various eras and musical styles. He produced the first complete edition of César Franck's works for harmonium and the first manual of technique for harmonium. He won international critical accolades for recordings of XNUMXth century music as well as Renaissance intabulations. He recorded all of César Franck's pieces for organ and harmonium.
The concerts are free of charge and do not require prior reservation. To participate in the workshops, registration is required.
Also the festival book is now available and can be purchased here
concert program
4 November | Mother Church of Portimão | 21pm – João Santos and Coral Adagio
5 November | Church of the See (Faro) | 21pm – João Santos and Coral Ossónoba
11 November | Mother Church of Portimão | 21pm – Laura Silva
11 November | Parish Church of Boliqueime | 21pm – Antonio Pedrosa
12 November | Church of Carmo (Faro) | 21pm – Antonio Pedrosa
18 November | Parish Church of Boliqueime | 21pm – João Vaz and Tiago Simas Freire (historic horn and flute)
18 November | Misericórdia Church of Tavira | 21pm – Matteo Cordioli and Michele Tomaz (corner)
19 November | Church of Carmo (Faro) | 21pm – João Vaz and Tiago Simas Freire (historic horn and flute)
20 November | Mother Church of Loulé | 18pm – Rui Soares and Ensemble Musica Antiqva Porto
25 November | Church of Santiago de Tavira | 21pm – Joris Verdin (organ and harmonium)
26 November | Church of the See (Faro) | 21pm – Joris Verdin (organ and harmonium)
extra concerts
5 November | Mother Church of Portimão | 10 am – Workshop with João Santos
11 November | Church of the See (Faro) | 10h – Pedagogical concert for children, with André Ferreira
13 November | Church of the See (Faro) | 16:XNUMX – Concert by students of the Sé de Órgão School Faro
17 November | Churches of Mercy, Santiago and Carmo (Tavira) | 16:XNUMX – visit to the interior of the organs
19 November| Mother Church of Loulé / CML-FR | 10h – Workshop with João Vaz / Tiago Simas Freire
26 November | Church of the See (Faro) | 21:XNUMX – Announcement of photo contest winners
This year's Algarve Organ Festival has the support of the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Algarve and the Municipalities of Faro, Loulé, Portimão and Tavira, with support for the dissemination of the Algarve Tourism Region, and communication partners Antena 2, Sul Informação and FM Street. The accommodation partner is the Hotel Faro.
The initiative also has a partnership with the Diocese of the Algarve, the Cabido da Sé de Faro, of the Order of Carmo of Faro and the parishes of Portimão, Boliqueime and Tavira.
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