Adding some extra Bach to Easter celebrations

ORGANIST Brett Leighton will pay tribute to Bach — and composers who championed or were influenced by the legendary German composer’s music — when he performs for the Hobart Organ Society on Easter Sunday.

Leighton, who is lecturer in organ, harpsichord and ensemble music at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz, Austria, said he particularly wanted to finish the program with Bach’s large Toccata and Fugue in F Major BWV 540. “It’s well known to organists, and the first part contains a number of pedal solos which go right up to the top of the pedal board,” he said.

“Mendelssohn championed Bach’s music at a time when it was becoming unknown. His Sonata III Opus 65 No.3 begins with a similar monumental style to the toccata, so I have put that at the front of the program.”

Leighton said contemporary Austrian composers Kurt Estermann and Franz Danksgmuller regularly worked with Bach’s music and it influenced their compositional styles.

“Toccare and Alla Francese from Capprici by Estermann, and Estampie for Organ by Danksgmuller were both written for small organ,” he said.

“The Capprici are capricious and modelled on Frescobaldi and his pupils from the 17th century. They are quirky and very short and sweet.

“Estampie is longer and was written for the centenary of Buxtehude. It uses a fragment of Buxtehude in an archaic fashion dating back to the 14th century. It grows organically using jerky rhythms. It is very pleasant to listen to and always goes down well.” The program will also include works by 17th century composer Jacques Boyvin, and 20th century composer Jean Langlais; Offertory for Easter Day Opus 38 No.10 by Alexander Boely; Scherzo in E Major by Eugene Gigout; and Sonata II in E Flat Major by CPE Bach.

Leighton will perform in the Stanley Burbury Theatre (University of Tasmania Sandy Bay campus) from 4pm on Easter Sunday (April 2). Entry is free.