Two concerts both featuring works by prolific German composer, Josef Rheinberger.
Organist Christopher Cockburn in concert
St Thomas Church: Sun 15 Nov and Sun 22 Nov
Pre-concert lectures: 2.30 / Concert: 3pm
Acclaimed organist Dr Christopher Cockburn returns to Durban to play two different organ recitals at St Thomas’ Church, Musgrave, both featuring works of German composer Josef Rheinberger, the first on Sunday 15 November and the second on Sunday 22 November both starting at 2.30pm (pre-concert lecture) for 3pm (concert)
Each of these two programmes by Dr Cockburn contains one of the Rheinberger sonatas, along with a selection of other music by a variety of composers which are in some way related either to the particular sonata or to Rheinberger himself. They range from the solemn Passacaglia in D minor by the German Baroque composer Dietrich Buxtehude (the same form used in the final movement of Rheinberger’s Sonata 8), through the quirky Scherzino by Horatio Parker (one of Rheinberger’s American students), to the virtuosic Toccata by Seth Bingham (himself a student of Parker).
This November marks the 125th anniversary of the death in Munich of organist and composer Josef Rheinberger. Many choral singers will have performed his most famous piece, ‘Abendlied’, and perhaps some of his other choral music, but for the organ he composed a monumental series of twenty sonatas, which are admired for their mastery of formal structure and compositional technique combined with a Romantic warmth and expressiveness. They are characterized by a happy blending of the modern Romantic spirit with masterly counterpoint and dignified organ style.
He is quoted as saying: “There is no justification for music without melodiousness and beauty of sound… music never ought to sound brooding, for, basically, it is the outpouring of joy, and even in pain knows no pessimism.”
Christopher Cockburn is well known throughout South Africa as an organ recitalist and accompanist. After graduating with a Master’s degree in Organ Performance from UCT, he studied in London and was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists. On returning to South Africa, he was appointed Director of Music at Grahamstown Cathedral and Lecturer in Music at Rhodes University, where he also conducted the Rhodes Chamber Choir. In 2003 he moved to Durban to take up a lectureship at UKZN. In 2008 he graduated with a Doctorate in Musicology from UKZN. While in Durban he was organist at St John’s Anglican Church in Pinetown, conducted the Durban Chamber Choir, and was accompanist to the Durban Symphonic Choir. He recently retired from UKZN and has returned to Makhanda (Grahamstown).
Cockburn’s concerts commemorate two important figures in the field of organ music, one international and one local: German composer Josef Rheinberger and Durban organist, the late Mervyn Payne who was for so many years the organist at St Thomas until his untimely death last year. He and Dr Cockburn had a long association through the Royal School of Church Music, and he invited Dr Cockburn to give a number of recitals at St Thomas over the years. He understood the unique value of the instrument at which he presided, and it is largely thanks to his concern and determination to see it preserved and maintained that it can still be used for services and concerts. These recitals are dedicated to his memory.
The recitals begin at 3pm; at 2.30pm those who are interested can join Dr Cockburn in the church for an illustrated pre-concert talk lasting about 20 minutes, in which he will introduce the composers and the music to be heard in each programme.
Prebooking at Quicket, or tickets at the door. Adults R120 and concessions R100. Season tickets R180 for both concerts.
Denis Hurley Centre Street Lit books will be on sale.
Organist Christopher Cockburn In Concert
